42BC Gaius Cassius Longinus Silver Denarius – aEF & Rare
An outstanding high-grade silver Denarius of Gaius Cassius Longinus, one of the most notorious names in Roman History; distinguished by an exceptional provenance that can be traced back to the British Museum as well as Eton College!
Indented mark within reverse field with a number of lighter marks, else graded almost Extremely Fine and Rare
Previously from the David Allan Collection, acquired from Noble Numismatics in November 1999. Previously held as a duplicate specimen in the British Museum, having been donated in 1872 before later being deaccessioned. Earlier provenance includes the Eton College Collection, sold by Sotheby’s, London, on 1 December 1976 (Lot 417), and subsequently the collection of W. Woolmer, Sydney, from whom it was acquired by exchange in November 1982.
Description
Origin:Roman Imperitorial
Region:Military mint, probably at Smyrna
Denomination:Denarius
Composition:Silver
Date:Spring 42 BC
Obverse:C•CASSI•IMP LEIBERTAS. Vield of Libertas right, before and behind, inscriptions. Border of dots
Reverse:LENTVLVS / SPINT, Capis and lituus,
Diameter & Weight:20mm, 3.65g, 12h
Grade:Indented mark within reverse field with a number of lighter marks, else graded almost Extremely Fine and Rare
Provenance:Ex David Allan Collection, acquired from Noble Numismatics in November 1999. Previously held as a duplicate specimen in the British Museum, having been donated in 1872 before later being deaccessioned. Earlier provenance includes the Eton College Collection, sold by Sotheby’s, London, on 1 December 1976 (Lot 417), and subsequently the collection of W. Woolmer, Sydney, from whom it was acquired by exchange in November 1982.
Gaius Cassius Longinus (86 BC – 3 October 42 BC)
Birth and Early Life
Gaius Cassius Longinus, commonly known simply as Cassius, was born in 86 BC, probably in Rome, although ancient sources do not record his exact birthplace with certainty. He belonged to the respected gens Cassia, a distinguished plebeian family that had produced numerous magistrates and military leaders during the Roman Republic. While little survives about his parents, historians believe his father was Quintus Cassius Longinus, a member of the same influential family. Consequently, Cassius received the education and political opportunities expected of a young Roman aristocrat.
From an early age, Cassius displayed intelligence, ambition and considerable military ability. Unlike many senators who preferred the comfort of political debate, he proved equally capable on the battlefield.
Military Career and Rise to Prominence
Cassius first earned recognition during the disastrous campaign of Marcus Licinius Crassus against the Parthian Empire in 53 BC. Although Crassus suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Carrhae, Cassius organised an orderly retreat and saved thousands of Roman soldiers. As a result, his reputation as a skilled commander grew considerably.
Later, during the Roman Civil War, Cassius initially fought against Julius Caesar alongside Pompey the Great. However, following Pompey’s defeat, Caesar pardoned him and allowed him to resume public life. Nevertheless, Cassius never became comfortable with Caesar’s growing authority, believing it threatened the Republic’s centuries-old traditions.
The Assassination of Julius Caesar
By 44 BC, Cassius had become one of the chief architects of the conspiracy against Caesar. Moreover, he persuaded Marcus Junius Brutus to join the plot, recognising that Brutus’ respected family name would strengthen its legitimacy.
On the Ides of March (15 March 44 BC), Cassius and more than sixty fellow conspirators assassinated Julius Caesar inside the Theatre of Pompey. They believed they had preserved the Republic. Instead, they triggered another bloody civil war. History, rather inconveniently for the conspirators, refused to follow their carefully laid plans.
Final Campaign and Legacy
Following the assassination, Cassius and Brutus raised armies in the eastern provinces to oppose Mark Antony and Octavian. Furthermore, Cassius established a travelling military mint to finance the republican cause, producing some of the most historically significant coinage of the late Republic.
In 42 BC, their forces confronted Antony and Octavian at the Battle of Philippi in Macedonia. Mistakenly believing the battle had been lost beyond recovery, Cassius took his own life on 3 October 42 BC.
Today, Cassius remains one of Rome’s most controversial figures. Some regard him as a principled defender of republican liberty, while others remember him as the man who helped murder Julius Caesar. Regardless of opinion, his actions changed the course of Roman history. Ironically, the conspiracy intended to save the Republic instead accelerated its collapse and cleared the path for the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus.
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