C. Cassius Longinus, Imperator and Assassin of Caesar (44-42 BC), with P. Lentulus Spinther, as Legate. AV aureus (21mm, 8.18 gm, 6h). NGC XF 5/5 - 3/5. Military mint traveling with Brutus and Cassius, probably at Smyrna, early 42 BC. C•CASSI•IMP-LEIBERTAS, head of Libertas right, wearing stephane, pendant earring and necklace / LENTVLVS / SPINT, oenochoe (on left), and lituus (on right), both turned inward. Crawford 500/2. Sydenham 1306. Cassia 15. Calicó 65. Strongly struck with excellent centering on broad flan with subdued luster. From the WTR Collection. Ex Peter J. Merani Collection (Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXIV, 19 January 2021), lot 52; Berk Buy or Bid Sale 139 (4 August 2004), lot 20; Numismatica Ars Classica 27 (12 May 2004), lot 281; Henry Platt Hall Collection (Part I, Glendining & Co., 19 July 1950), lot 653; Consul Weber Collection (J. Hirsch XXIV, 10 May 1909), lot 737 P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther and M. Servilius were joint legates to Cassius and Brutus, and both issued coins in the names of their generals. Lentulus Spinther assumed the toga virilis and was elected to the college of augurs, in 57 BC. After Caesar's murder, he joined Cassius and Brutus and was probably killed at Philippi. The reverse type of this coin refers to Lentulus' appointment to the college of augurs, and is one of the few instances in imperatorial coinage in which a moneyer used a reverse type that was personal to himself.

HID09801242017

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