Numismatics: More than Coins...spintriae

[guy]

Remember, Numimatics isn't just the study of coins. It also includes the study of tokens and medals.

 

The following are Ancient Roman tokens. They are probably tokens to a brothel or game pieces. These erotic tokens are called spintriae (singular: spintria):

 

(Remember, mature adult readers only):

 

http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?searc...mp;a=&l=#19

 

One can only wonder what the numbers on the reverse represent.

 

Here's an interesting theory about these spintriae:

 

Some experts claim that the main function was to gain admission to brothels and

Edited November 10, 2010 by guy

[guy]

A more academic article on these tokens (spintriae):

"Is That a Spintria in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Pleased to See Me?"

[broken link]

Cecil Adams argues against some of the theories from the above article about these being brothel tokens:
 

 

Not so fast, say other researchers for one, Geoffrey Fishburn of the University of New South Wales, whose 2007 paper "Is That a Spintria in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Pleased to See Me?" is well worth perusal by anyone interested in the topic. Such skeptics note that (1) the same sex act sometimes appears on coins bearing different numbers, which hurts the number-equals-price theory; (2) unambiguous references to such tokens are strangely absent from Roman writings (the purported examples that do get cited are notably iffy); (3) identical scenes show up in Pompeiian murals, suggesting these may have been commonly depicted artistic themes; (4) spintriae have been found in excavated bathhouses but never (points out Anise Strong of Northwestern U.) in the ruins of actual brothels; (5) the correlation between modern prostitutes' rates and the tokens' numbering system isn't as neat as the Polish study would have it; and so forth.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2355/pay-for-play




guy also known as gaius

Edited November 10, 2016 by guy

[Viggen]

...those are really interesting tokens, a real fascinating topic...

 

cheers

viggen

[Klingan]

Wow, I really hate it when I miss your posts Gaius! This is really interesting.