TYPE Roman Republic, M. Junius Brutus (moneyer), 54 BC, silver denarius DESCRIPTION . Obv: Legend BRVTVS behind head of L. Junius Brutus (the elder) Rev: Legend AHALA behind head of Caius Servilius Ahala REFERENCE: Cr 433/2, Syd 907, Jun 30 GRADING: F, minor banker's marks, gray toning ORDER INFO: R2088, $185 The notorius Brutus, assassin of Julius Caesar (or most famous conspirator, anyway). He struck coins at two times - first as moneyer in 54 BC, and later, in the power vacuum between Caesar's and his own deaths (43-42 BC). Although the second series is obviously more popular (and certainly pricier - starting from the famous EID MAR denarius), the earlier coins are interesting in their own right. The current one is unique in its type - with two bearded effigies of more ancient Roman personages related to the moneyer, including Brutus' namesake, historically famous for having expelled the original Tarquin kings from Rome in 509 BC.