9 EROTIC ROMAN BROTHEL TOKENS (SPINTRIAE) 24K GOLD PLATE

BONUS COIN! I INCLUDE A GREEK COIN, THE NAKED SATYR AND STRUGGLING NYMPH, AT NO CHARGE. THIS COIN WAS STRUCK IN THASOS. YOUR COST IS ONLY $4.00 PER COIN!

THESE ARE NOT ANCIENT COINS. THEY ARE COPIES OF MUSEUM QUALITY REPRODUCTIONS.

SET OF 9 ROMAN EROTIC BROTHEL TOKENS, REIGN OF TIBERIUS, 24K GOLD PLATED COINS + GREEK NAKED SATYR AND STRUGGLING NYMPH

DESCRIPTION:

9 EROTIC ROMAN BROTHEL TOKENS (SPINTRIAE) 24K GOLD PLATE

THESE ARE REPRODUCTIONS OF ACTUAL ROMAN COINS STRUCK IN THE 1ST CENTURY A.D. THERE ARE 9 COINS IN THIS SERIES.

EROTIC ROMAN BROTHEL COINS, CALLED “SPINTRIA”

#’s III, IIII, V, VI, VIIII, X, XII, XIII, XV

ALL COINS ARE ABOUT (21 mm 4 g) (20 to 40 A.D.)

A spintria (plural, spintriae) is a Roman token, possibly for use in brothels, usually depicting sexual acts or symbols. They were only produced for a few years in the first century, between the years 20 to 40 AD, during the reign of Emperor Tiberius. The numbers I to XVI are known, but numbers exceeding XII are very rare. The Discovery Channel had a series, hosted by Terry Jones (Monty Python), “The History of Sex” and Roman brothel tokens were briefly mentioned. They were struck in brass or bronze. Possibly they were used to overcome the language barrier for visitors who spoke no Latin. Experts cannot agree on the use for the Roman numbers. Were they the price for the act pictured on the front, or the value, or just a risqué novelty item? We will never know for sure. They are a great piece of Roman history.

NAKED SATYR / STRUGGLING NYMPH (463-411 BC) (21mm 5g)

STRUCK IN THASOS, AN ISLAND IN THE THARCIAN SEA

OBVERSE: Naked ithyphallic satyr in kneeling-running attitude right, carrying in his arms a struggling nymph who raises her right hand in protest; the Satyr has long beard and both figures have flowing hair indicated by streaming lines.

REVERSE: Quadripartite incuse square.

One of the most interesting themes on ancient Greek coins is that of an “ithyphallic” (sexually aroused) Satyr running off with a Nymph in his arms. These coins were made famous by the island of Thasos. From around 550 – 480 BC they issued a series of coins that depicted Centaurs and Satyrs carrying off Nymphs. The depiction of the Satyrs and Centaurs often varies, but the pose of the Nymph is nearly identical from coin to coin: a Nymph in a long chiton is held by a Satyr with one arm around her knees and the other around her back, just above the waist. The Nymph has her left arm hanging down and her right arm raised up, with the hand in an open position. Often there is a pellet on the coin just above the open hand. On some of these coins the Nymph is smiling or has a neutral expression, while on others her face shows clear signs of distress. The latter gives rise to the common description of the Satyr abducting the Nymph, who holds hand up in protest.
Thasos started issuing didrachms and drachms of the satyr and nymph in the mid to late sixth century BC. These were close copies of the Macedonian coins mentioned above, and featured a naked ithyphallic satyr kneeling or running and holding a nymph clad in a long chiton. The reverse of the coins had an incuse square that was quartered. A subtle change in the depiction of the Satyr occurred over time. The original coins showed a horned Satyr with horse or goat legs. Eventually, the Satyrs were shown with human legs.

If you enjoy ancient history, you will enjoy these coins. Coins are the “bookmarks” of ancient history. They provide accurate dates of famous people and events. Coins offer us accurate portraits of the most famous leaders, their gods, mythology, beliefs and the way they lived and died. Start collecting today and enjoy ancient history.

The cost is very reasonable. Everyone can enjoy these coins with a very low investment. These coins make great unique gifts.

All of my coins, pendants, chains, earrings & cuff links are cast and plated in the U.S.A.

PLEASE READ MY "FEEDBACK" (over 1,300)

IMPORTANT TERMS OF SALE: PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING.

PAYMENT: IMMEDIATE PAYMENT WITH PAY PAL.

SHIPPING:

USA: SHIPPING IS $1.95 FOR THE FIRST ITEM, ALL ADDITIONAL ITEMS ARE ONLY $.50.

U.S.A: THIS ITEM MUST SHIP 1^ST CLASS PACKAGE RATE WITH ELECTRONIC TRACKING ($1.95). THE USPS BATCH FORM IS USED. THIS ALLOWS YOU TO TRACK THE ITEM FROM ACCEPTANCE AT P.O. TO DELIVERY. THE TRACKING # IS POSTED TO EBAY.

ITEMS OVER $100.00 ARE SHIPPED, INSURED, PRIORITY MAIL AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.

INTERNATIONAL: SHIPPING IS $4.50 FOR FIRST ITEM, ALL ADDITIONAL ITEM ARE ONLY $1.50.

INTERNATIONAL RATE CHANGE: IN FEBRUARY, U.S. POSTAL RATES FOR INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES WENT UP 17%. A 3 OZ. PACKAGE NOW COSTS $4.56.

INTERNATIONAL RULES: ALL ORDERS ARE SHIPPED FIRST CLASS MAIL WITH CUSTOMS FORM. DELIVERY TIMES VARY BY COUNTRY. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS MAY SEE DELIVERY TIMES FROM 4 TO 6 WEEKS. SOME COUNTRIES MAIL SYSTEMS ARE VERY GOOD AND DELIVERY IS WITHIN 10 DAYS BUT OTHERS ARE NOT. PLEASE BE PATIENT. I SEND A U.S. CUSTOMS TRACKING NUMBER WITH ALL INTERNATIONAL ORDERS SHOWING PROOF OF MAILING AND THE DATE IT WAS MAILED.

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST CHECK WITH CUSTOMS IN YOUR COUNTRY. SOME COUNTRIES DO NOT NOTIFY YOU WHEN AN ITEM IS IN AND IT WILL JUST SIT IN CUSTOMS. YOU MAY PROVIDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER WITH YOUR ORDER AND IT WILL BE ON THE CUSTOMS FORM.

YOUR COUNTRY MAY HAVE IMPORT TAXES OR FEES TO BRING THE ITEMS INTO THE COUNTRY. THESE COSTS ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE ITEM. CHECK ON THESE FEES (IF ANY) BEFORE YOU PURCHASE. WE COMPLY WITH U.S. CUSTOMS LAWS AND WILL NOT FALSIFY VALUE OR ITEM DESCRIPTION.

THE BEST REFUND POLICY EBAY OFFERS:

60 DAY MONEY BACK! + PLUS POSTAGE + RETURN POSTAGE

Return the item in original condition and I will refund full purchase price including shipping plus return shipping at original shipping cost. You have nothing to lose!

THANKS FOR LOOKING !