ROMAN REPUBLICAN. L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus. 89 B.C. AR denarius. 3.81 gm. 18 mm. Rome mint. Bareheaded and bearded head of the Sabine King Tatius right; APV and palm branch before, SABIN behind / Tarpeia facing, buried to her waist in shields, with raised hands she tries to thrust off two soldiers who are about to cast their shields at her; star in crescent above, L TITVRI in exergue. Crawford 344/2c. Sydenham 699a. RSC Tituria 5. Good Extremely Fine; fresh surfaces; rich iridescent toning; uncommonly well centered and well struck.

From an American collection put together in the 1920s.

This coin is part of the story of "the rape of the Sabine women." Following the founding of Rome circa 750 B.C., Romulus was short of women and abducted some Sabine women to be Roman wives.This particular coin illustrates the myth of Tarpeia's death: Tarpeia was a Vestal Virgin who opened the gates, betraying the city of Rome to the Sabines as they attempted to rescue their wives and daughters, reportedly in return for gold bracelets they wore around their arms. Instead the Sabines, offended by Tarpeia's greed and treason, buried her under the crushing weight of their shields, crushing her to death.