Roman Brothel Token (Spintria)

Reproduction cast from an original

Cast from an original this is a highly detailed reproduction of a Roman token (spintria) in antique pewter .

Obverse: Roman numeral: VIII

Reverse: Erotic scene

These erotic tokens, mainly in bronze or silver, are called spintriae or Spintrian tesserae by derivative of the Latin word spintria used by Suetonius or Tacitus to qualify the scenes of debauchery during the reign of the emperor Tiberius.

These rare and fascinating tokens are thought to have been used to purchase services in Roman brothels. It may have been considered sacrilegious to take a coin with the image of the Emperor into a house of ill repute and so Spintria were used instead. It is also possible that these silver tokens were used as gaming tokens, stamped with images intended to amuse or excite their owners.

Diameter: c. 24mm ; weight: c. 5 g