Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AR Denarius. Rome, 54 BC. Bust of Libertas to right; LIBERTAS downwards behind / Consul L. Junius Brutus, between two lictors, preceded by accensus, all walking to left; BRVTVS in exergue. Crawford 433/1; BMCRR Rome 3862; RSC Junia 31. 4.03g, 20mm, 6h.

NGC graded AU★ 5/5 - 4/5 (#6158069-015). Attractive old cabinet tone.

From the GK Collection;
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 92, 23 May 2016, lot 367;
Ex Elvira Eliza Clain-Stefanelli (1914-2001) Collection.

Struck a decade before the assassination of Julius Caesar and recalling the legendary expulsion of the Tarquins from Rome in 509 BC by L. Junius Brutus, his ancestor and the consul of that year, Brutus here uses the reverse type to illustrate his strong republican views, while the presence of the goddess Libertas on the obverse was particularly prescient of his participation in the events of 44 BC, the word 'libertas' reportedly being the watchword with which Brutus signalled the all-clear to his fellow conspirators.

When he became consul in 54, Brutus' full name was Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus, on account of his having been adopted by his uncle, Quintus Servilius Caepio. Having reverted to his birth name for a time, following Caesar's assassination Brutus revived his adoptive name in order to illustrate his links to another famous tyrannicide, Gaius Servilius Ahala, from whom he was also descended.