Coins are more than a medium of exchange; they are small mirrors of big history, and historical events have influenced coinage since time immemorial. I was reminded of that recently when an assassination attempt was made on a presidential candidate in the United States. Coins reflect overthrows, coups, wars and untimely demises.
Over the last 2,000 years, coin designs evolved for a wide variety of reasons. From changing emperors to assassinations to starting or ending world wars, coin designs and compositions changed with the circumstances of the world around them.
JULIUS CAESAR'S ASCENT TO POWER AND DEMISE
Let's consider a silver ancient Roman coin struck during the reign of Junius Brutus in 42 B.C.
The prior emperor of Rome was its famed and highly successful general, Julius Caesar. He was a decisive and brilliant Roman general whose armies conquered much of the known world at the time. His legendary successes on the battlefields made him extremely popular with the people of Rome-so much so that he ascended to power easily. A very large part of the populace wanted him to rule. Caesar took increasingly more power, but his desire to control the Roman Republic led to his demise.
At that time, the Roman Senate was appointed by the Emperor, not elected by the populace. Once Caesar had proclaimed himself the Dictator for Life, the Roman Senate plotted his death. His assassination occurred on the Ides of March (March 15th) in 44 B.C.
A coin commemorates that event. The obverse depicts a head of Junius Brutus, while the reverse depicts a Phrygian cap of Freedom with a dagger on each side. Below is the abbreviation EID MAR for the Ides of March, the date on which Caesar was assassinated by Brutus and as many as 60 Roman Senators.
This story is from the October - November 2024 edition of COINage Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October - November 2024 edition of COINage Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Early Quarter Eagle Gold Coins Impress
ANALYZING A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT OFFERING
Cryptocurrency on a Shoestring Budget
COLLECTORS HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF OPTIONS
Distant Lands Battle to Create Coins
SMALL COUNTRIES ARE PAID BIG MONEY TO MINT COINS
U.S. Mint Features 'POP CULTURE' Coins
NEW SPOTLIGHT ON POPULAR MOVIES, BOOKS, SUPERHEROES AND PRODUCTS
Do Elections Impact Bullion and Rare Coin Prices?
TRUMP'S PRESIDENTIAL WIN IS A CASE IN POINT
WARREN MILLS
U.S. GOLD COINS OF ALL KINDS RECOMMENDED
Future of Coin Writing
AN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST CARRIES THE TORCH =
Do Pennies Make Sense?
RETIRING THE PENNY COULD SAVE 1 BILLION A DECADE
Top 6 Most Popular U.S. Commemorative Coins
During a half-century of researching U.S.commemorative coinage, I have found that these are the top six U.S. commemorative coins favored by collectors, dealers and investors.
GUIDE TO GRADING SILVER AMERICAN EAGLE ONE-OUNCE BULLION COINS
CAC'S MODERN COIN MINT STATE GRADING STANDARDS