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Auction: 355 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale at NY INC, Grand Hyatt
Lot: 295

Roman Imperial. Anonymous issues, Time of Tiberius (AD 14-37), Æ Tessera (21mm, 4.56 g, 3h), heterosexual erotic scene, rev. v within wreath (Simonetta & Riva scene 9B; Buttrey scene 11/V), attractive dark green patina, good very fine, rare; exceedingly so in this condition

provenance
Bt. CNG, inventory number 841335, $14500
Ex Hauck & Aufhäuser 17, 18 March 2003, lot 713, Vierordt Collection (Part II, Schulman, 17 June 1924), lot 11


The purpose of erotic tokens first struck during Tiberius' reign is a subject still under debate. It has been suggested they were brothel tokens, used to pay for sexual acts as an alternative to normal denominations which carried the portrait of the Emperor. However, some scholars dispute this hypothesis and theorise that they were gaming tokens, in which their images were intended to entertain their owners.