A Latin Teacher’s Legacy

Doyle’s auction of The Carol F. Ross Collection of Ancient Roman Coins captivated collectors worldwide. Assembled by Latin scholar Carol F. Ross, the 134-lot collection of Roman Republican and Early Imperial coins realized $1,040,116—more than double its initial estimate.

The top lot was a rare aureus of Marcus Junius Brutus (43–42 B.C.), which fetched $314,600. Another standout, an aureus of Augustus (27–20 B.C.), soared to $181,500, far exceeding its estimate.

Ross, a longtime Latin teacher and former department head at the Foote School in Connecticut, began collecting in the 1980s. Her passion for Roman history translated into a carefully curated selection of aurei and denarii, most of which she acquired from trusted dealers in New York and Italy.

Never publicly displayed, the collection was a personal pursuit reflecting Ross’s scholarly eye and love of classical antiquity. It featured coins with rich iconography, historical symbolism, and enduring ties to Rome’s most powerful figures.