Spintria

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Spintriae from Pompeii
Spintriae from Pompeii

A spintria (plural, spintriae ) is a Roman token, possibly for brothels, usually depicting sexual acts or symbols.

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[edit] Use

They may have been used to pay prostitutes, who at times spoke a different language. While this is subject to argument, the numbers on them line up with known prices for Roman prostitutes (University of Queensland reference). Some theorize them gaming tokens, and they may have been produced for only a short period, probably in the 1st century A.D.

Spintriae, 2nd century A.D.
Spintriae, 2nd century A.D.

[edit] Appearance

There were usually struck from brass or bronze, and were little smaller than an American quarter.

Spintriae
Spintriae

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[edit] External links and references

[edit] Prime sources

[edit] Images