Agora Auctions, LLC
Numismatic Auction 71 26 Dec 2017
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Anonymous, under Tiberus. A.D. 14-37. AE tessera (19 mm, 2.93 g, 4 h). Erotic scene / Large VIIII within beaded circular border. Buttrey, Spintiae 7/VIIII. VF. Rare.
Ex CNG 333, lot 282.
This tessera originally sold for $1,600 plus the buyers premium in August of 2014 and has since been professionally cleaned under the microscope revealing a much higher grade specimen that was expected by the conservator. The purpose of these tessera is unknown. It has been suggested that they were used as theater or games "tickets", but due to their extreme rarity this is highly unlikely. The other popular theory is that they were "brothel tokens", which were used to pay for the specific sex act portrayed. This is also unlikely due to reports of reverse die matches and again, the rarity. The more likely theory is that they were game pieces analogous to today's playing cards. Ultimately their purpose is unknown and it would require additional finds in an archaeological context to shed more light on these fascinating pieces of Roman history.
Ex CNG 333, lot 282.
This tessera originally sold for $1,600 plus the buyers premium in August of 2014 and has since been professionally cleaned under the microscope revealing a much higher grade specimen that was expected by the conservator. The purpose of these tessera is unknown. It has been suggested that they were used as theater or games "tickets", but due to their extreme rarity this is highly unlikely. The other popular theory is that they were "brothel tokens", which were used to pay for the specific sex act portrayed. This is also unlikely due to reports of reverse die matches and again, the rarity. The more likely theory is that they were game pieces analogous to today's playing cards. Ultimately their purpose is unknown and it would require additional finds in an archaeological context to shed more light on these fascinating pieces of Roman history.