More than $10 million was realized by a pre-Long Beach auction conducted by Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers May 30-June 2.
Topping the bidding was $603,750 for a gold aureus of Marcus Junius Brutus struck circa 42 B.C. in Macedonia or western Asia Minor.
Brutus took part in the assassination of Julius Caesar in the Roman Senate in 44 B.C.
The coin was struck at a mint traveling with the army fighting it out over the future of the Roman state.
Brutus died shortly after the coin was struck.
It shows his bearded portrait with bare head right. The reverse shows army and navy trophies.
The cataloger calls it probably the finest of only eight recorded specimens. Numismatic Guaranty Corp. graded it choice about uncirculated.
Highlighting the U.S. coins featured in the sale was $143,750 paid for an 1804 large cent, S-266c, R2. graded AU-55 by the Professional Coin Grading Service.
The cataloger said its surfaces were glossy olive and dark bluish steel brown with frosty tan and light brown faded down from mint color in protected areas on both sides.
A bid of $132,250 bought a 1907 Saint-Gaudens high relief gold $20 with a flat rim. The coin was graded NGC MS-67.
For more information, visit www.goldbergcoins.com.
Ancient Coin Collecting V
Ancient Coin Collecting V explores the civilized world after the fall of Rome through the coins of the Romaioi, Greek citizens of the Roman East.
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