Spintria
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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.
[edit] Appearance
There were usually struck from brass or bronze, and were little smaller than an American quarter.
[edit] See also
- Prostitution in ancient Rome
- Roman currency
- tessera
[edit] External links and references
[edit] Prime sources
- Long, detailed .pdf file, University of Queensland, Australia
- Straight Dope on spintria
- The Collaborative Numismatics Project -- dated
[edit] Images
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