I refer to the item Rare Gold Coins Expected To Fetch High Bids (February 16).

In the section of Roman coins, the item in question said that “the collection also includes a copy of the Ides of March denarius, which was coined by the ancient Roman politician Brutus in the year 4BC to commemorate the assassination of Julius Caesar”.

I would like to remark that this coin is not a copy but a genuine coin.

If it were a copy the market price would be only $200 but the coin in question would be fetching about $250,000.

A similar coin was sold last year, on October 6, by Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 62 lot 2005 for the price of 240,000 Swiss francs, apart from commission charges amounting to 18 per cent.

For details, see Roman Republican Coinage Vol I, by Michael H. Crawford, lecturer in ancient history, University of Cambridge, page 518 coin 508/3. Mint moving with Brutus 43-42BC. On the obverse: head of Brutus, facing right, BRVT IMP L PLAET CEST around. On the reverse: Pileus, between two daggers, below EID. MAR

It is a coin of the highest rarity and importance in Roman history.