Roman Spintria No. III

Replica of an ancient brothel or gaming token made of brass bronze or solid 925 silver

The Spintria No. III is a detailed replica of a fascinating small object from the early Roman Empire.

Carefully handcrafted from gold-coloured brass bronze, it conveys the authentic impression of those rare tokens that lie somewhere between art, sensuality and everyday life.

On request, this replica can also be made in solid 925 sterling silver – as a high-quality piece of jewellery that elegantly combines ancient symbolism and modern craftsmanship.

Whether as a collector's item, prop or wearable symbol of Roman joie de vivre, the Spintria No. III combines archaeological precision with aesthetic elegance.

The front shows an erotic scene typical of the originals of these tokens.

The back bears the Roman numeral III (3), which is one of the most common variants within the known series.

With a diameter of approximately 22 mm, the replica is based exactly on the dimensions and proportions of the ancient models.

On request, it can be fitted with a small eyelet – ideal as an authentic pendant or discreet amulet.

Spintriae – Mysterious evidence of everyday Roman culture

The so-called spintriae are among the most mysterious small finds from the 1st century AD.

They are small round tokens, mostly made of bronze, with erotic images on the front and numbers (I–XVI) on the back.

Their original function has not yet been conclusively clarified, but archaeological and cultural-historical research has produced several plausible explanations:

1. Tokens for brothels:

The most likely interpretation sees spintriae as a form of discreet currency in brothels.

Customers could purchase these tokens and redeem them within the establishment – a practice that made it possible to keep official coins bearing the image of the emperor out of morally questionable contexts.

This system not only demonstrates organisational pragmatism, but also the subtle separation between public morality and private pleasure in everyday Roman life.

2. Gaming and social tokens:

An alternative interpretation sees the spintriae as tokens used in erotic or social games, which were particularly popular among the educated and wealthy circles of the early imperial period.

Here, they may have served as lottery tickets, tokens or game pieces – an expression of the Roman combination of otium, sensuality and social interaction.

Origin, dating and cultural context

Most of the known spintriae date from the decades between 20 and 60 AD, with finds mainly in Pompeii, Herculaneum and other cities in Campania.

After the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, they largely disappeared from the archaeological record – an indication of possible moral or legal changes in imperial policy.

Original spintriae can now be found in important collections, such as the British Museum (London), the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli.

Their finely crafted reliefs, careful casting quality and precise typification make them outstanding examples of Roman miniature art and social symbolism.

A tangible piece of Roman life

The Spintria No. III exemplifies the connection between art, eroticism and everyday culture in the early Roman Empire.

It is a reminder of an era in which joie de vivre, craftsmanship and social codes were interwoven in a fascinating way.

Whether as an archaeologically based replica, collector's item or custom-made piece of jewellery in silver, the Spintria No. III is an authentic, sensually tangible testimony to Roman history that brings the cultural diversity and openness of antiquity to life.