COIN MARKET INSIDER • VOLUME 33 • ISSUE 10
Ancient Roman Coin Smashes Price Records
Brutus Silver Denarius Sets New Record
History was made last week when a Brutus Silver Denarius minted in 42 BC smashed previous known price records. The “Eid Mar” has long been considered among the most historically significant coins in all numismatics.
Finest Known was the underbidder to the collector who ultimately took the prize. Prior to the auction, it was estimated that this numismatic masterpiece would attract a winning bid of between $450,000 to $550,000. We were prepared to pay $700,000.
However, the coin sold for an astonishing $720,000 to a dealer who was representing the collector who added this landmark rarity to their collection. It is estimated that the final price to the collector was $750,000, making this the most valuable ancient Roman silver coin to date.
This Brutus Silver Denarius EID MAR is widely regarded as one of the most important ancient coins in the world today. It has appeared in important auctions since as long ago as 1930 and most recently in 2011. The $720,000 auction price was a new record for the coin and is a vivid indication that the ancient coin market remains very strong.
This specimen is graded and certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) in Extra Fine, 5/5 Strike, and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style designation, an amazing level of preservation considering that the coin is well over 2,000 years old.
The coin’s iconic design depicts the bust of Brutus on the obverse and a liberty cap flanked by daggers on the reverse. The coin was struck as a commemoration of the assassination by the senate of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March (March 15), 44 BC.
This event has shaped the history of the Western world to this day.
It is quite likely that this auction result will be an event that will shape the near future of the rare coin market.
Additional Ancient Auction Results of the Past Month
Lydian Kingdom Croesus Heavy Stater
(561-546 BC)
AV stater NGC MS★ 5/5 – 5/5
Price Realized $192,000.00
Sicily Syracuse, by Kimon AR Decadrachm
(405-400 BC)
NGC Choice XF★ 4/5 – 5/5, Fine Style
Price Realized $180,000.00
Ionia Uncertain Mint EL stater
(650-600 BC)
NGC Choice AU 5/5 – 5/5
Price Realized $120,000.00
‘The King’s Good Gold’
Pharaonic Egypt, Nectanebo II AV Stater
359-340 BC
Price Realized $267,062.00
Beautiful Gold Coin of Antiquity
Scythia Panticapaion AV Stater
380-370 BC
Price Realized $121,083.00
Cyzicus, Son of Apollo
Mysia Cyzicus, Electrum Stater ND
550-500 BC
Price Realized $79,051.00
One of the Finest Greek Gold Coins
Sicily Syracuse ‘Denys the Elder’ Decadrachm
406-367 BC
Price Realized $105,402.00
Proclaimed King of Cyrene
Lagid Kingdom, Ptolemy I
305-285 BC
Price Realized $105,402.00
-
Twelve Caesars Roman Empire 44 BC – AD 96 Complete 12 Caesars Bronze and Silver Set NGC Mixed VG and Up$5,975.00
-
ROMAN Roman Empire AD 161-169 LUCIUS VERUS AUREUS NGC MS 5 4$50,000.00
-
Otho Aureus AD 69 rv Pax stg. NGC VF Star 5/4$143,000.00
-
ROMAN Roman Empire AD 68-69 GALBA AUREUS NGC VF Fine Style 5 2$57,500.00
-
Roman Empire AD 69-70 AUREUS JULIUS CIVILUS CIVIL WAR NGC Ch XF 5 2$425,000.00
-
Twelve Caesars Roman Empire 44 BC Julius Caesar Silver Denarius (Portrait Type) NGC CH AU 4 3$28,750.00
-
Rome ROMAN AD 14-37 TIBERIUS AUREUS NGC CHXF 5/3$47,500.00
-
ANC ROMAN AD 198-217 CARACALLA DENARIUS NGC AU$198.00
-
ANC ROMAN AD 198-217 CARACALLA DENARIUS NGC CHXF$149.00
-
ANC ROMAN AD 193-211 SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS Denarius NGC XF$129.00
-
Twelve Caesars Roman Empire 41-54 AD Claudius Gold Aureus NGC AU 5 4$75,000.00
-
ROMAN EMPIRE ROMAN AD 41 CLAUDIUS AUREUS NGC AU 5 4$75,000.00
-
ANC ROMAN AD 238-244 GORDIAN III DENARIUS NGC CHAU$275.00
-
ANC ROMAN AD 198-217 CARACALLA DENARIUS NGC CHAU$275.00
-
Twelve Caesars Roman Empire 44 BC Julius Caesar Silver Denarius NGC XF 4 2$8,325.00
-
Twelve Caesars Roman Empire 54 – 68 AD Bronze Sestertius Port of Ostia NGC CH AU Fine Style 4 2$72,500.00
-
Twelve Caesars 79-81 AD Titus Colosseum Bronze Sestertius NGC VG 5 1$84,375.00