Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIII 14-15 Jan 2020
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GERMANY(?). Circa 18th century. Pressed Wood Checker - Brettstein (45x9mm, 11.08 g, 3h). Judaea Capta type. Possibly manufactured in Nürnberg. IMPT (star) CAESVES (star) PAVG (star) PMTR (star) PPP (star) COSV (star) III (star), laureate head of Vespasian right / (star) IVDAEA (star) CAPTA (star) , palm tree; to left, Jewess seated left on cuirass in attitude of mourning; to right, bound male captive standing left; both figures surrounded by arms; in exergue, · (star over M) (star) (star over B) ·. Apparently unpublishd. Some age splits and a couple of near-contemporary repairs. Original surfaces and essentially as made. An intriguing example of European post Renaissance and neoclassicial interest.
Going back to the time of the Sumerians, the game of checkers has been a popular alternative to chess. A direct descendant of the Arabic qirkat, a fundamental component of the game are a series of pieces, most often made of wood, that are moved around the board. While today's version has been standardized with red and black, or white pieces made of wood (or plastic) and almost the size of a US half dollar, earlier versions could be made to suit the customer. Such is the case with this piece. Deriving from a Judaea Capta sestertius, the entire set may have been based on Roman sestertii, much like specialty sets today. The style and manufacture suggests a Continental origin, either Dutch or German, where the was a strong neoclassical interest, and where the game was especially popular.
Going back to the time of the Sumerians, the game of checkers has been a popular alternative to chess. A direct descendant of the Arabic qirkat, a fundamental component of the game are a series of pieces, most often made of wood, that are moved around the board. While today's version has been standardized with red and black, or white pieces made of wood (or plastic) and almost the size of a US half dollar, earlier versions could be made to suit the customer. Such is the case with this piece. Deriving from a Judaea Capta sestertius, the entire set may have been based on Roman sestertii, much like specialty sets today. The style and manufacture suggests a Continental origin, either Dutch or German, where the was a strong neoclassical interest, and where the game was especially popular.