The most expensive coin in history sold for USD 4.2 million, but with a fake certificate
Time to Read: 2 minuteThe record-breaking coin, called 'Eid Mar' (or 'Ides of March'), was minted in 42 BC to commemorate the assassination of Julius Caesar.
The sale of the most expensive coin in history carried out a few years ago has just taken an unthinkable turn, after it was discovered that the authentication certificates with which the sale was made are false.
According to a report by ARTnews, an extremely rare Roman coin set a world record when it went up for nearly $4.2 million at auction three years ago. But now the validity of that record is in question after an investigation revealed that the artifact and others were sold with forged certificates of provenance.
The record coin, called “Eid Mar” (or “Ides of March”), was minted in 42 BC. to commemorate the assassination of Julius Caesar.
That iconic and valuable artifact was offered in October 2020 by the London-based auction house Roma Numismatics, with a previous estimate of 500,000 pounds ($650,445 dollars) which; however, it exceeded 4 million dollars. Also listed at auction was a 2,400-year-old coin from Naxos, Sicily, which fetched $291,682.
However, an investigation led by the US agency Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) discovered that both coins were being offered with forged provenance documentation. Richard Beale, owner and managing director of Roma Numismatics, was arrested in New York earlier this year for his role in organizing the fraud.
Eid Mar
The ancient coin in question is one of the most valuable in existence. Following the assassination of Julius Caesar, Brutus struck coins in 42 BC to commemorate the historical event. Only three of these gold coins are known.
Los elementos del diseno de la moneda cuentan toda la historia desde el punto de vista de Bruto y Casio. Las dos dagas son las de Bruto y Casio. El pileus entre ellos es un gorro de libertad y emancipación. La leyenda EID MAR es una abreviatura de EIDIBVS MARRTIIS o los idus de marzo.
En 2020, Beale y Roma Numismatics establecieron un record mundial para una moneda antigua vendida en subasta cuando vendieron la moneda por casi 4.2 millones de dolares.