Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 334 3 September 2014
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Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.06 g, 12h). Rome mint; P. Petronius Turpilianus, moneyer. Struck 19-18 BC. Bare head right / Tarpeia standing facing, raising both hands, buried to her waist under ten shields. RIC I 299; RSC 494. Fine, lightly toned, scratches and porosity.
Tarpeia was a Vestal Virgin that betrayed the city of Rome to the Sabines when they were attempting to rescue their wives and daughters. As payment for her betrayal, she demanded she be given what the Sabine soldiers wore on their left arms, meaning their gold bracelets. The Sabines were offended by Tarpeia's reprehensible greed and took her demand literally. She met her death under the crushing weight of the soldiers' shields.
Tarpeia was a Vestal Virgin that betrayed the city of Rome to the Sabines when they were attempting to rescue their wives and daughters. As payment for her betrayal, she demanded she be given what the Sabine soldiers wore on their left arms, meaning their gold bracelets. The Sabines were offended by Tarpeia's reprehensible greed and took her demand literally. She met her death under the crushing weight of the soldiers' shields.