Spintria, Brothel Coin No. VI

Roman brothel coin (spintria) No. VII (7) – detailed replica made of brass bronze

This high-quality replica of a Roman brothel coin (known as a spintria) is carefully handcrafted in our own workshop. The piece is made of brass bronze, the same material used in the ancient originals. On request, the coin can also be made into a high-quality piece of jewellery made from solid 925 silver!

The front of the coin features an erotic depiction of a copulation scene, typical of these rare and fascinating objects from the Roman Empire. The back features the Roman numeral VII (7). The coin has a diameter of approximately 22 mm and is available with or without a pendant loop – ideal as a collector's item or as an unusual piece of jewellery or prop.

Historical background of the spintriae

The so-called spintriae (singular spintria) are small, mostly bronze or brass-coloured tokens from the 1st century AD, which were widespread in the early Roman Empire – especially under the emperors Tiberius (14–37 AD) and Caligula (37–41 AD).

Their front sides depict erotic scenes, often in astonishingly detailed and artistically sophisticated designs. The reverse sides usually bear Roman numerals from I to XVI, occasionally framed or surrounded by a wreath. The function of these objects remains unclear to this day – and that is precisely what makes them so appealing.

Theories about their use

Admission or tokens for brothels:

The most common theory is that spintriae served as tokens in Roman brothels. Customers would have purchased them at the reception desk or from the operator and then passed them on to the prostitutes – possibly to avoid exchanging official coins (bearing the image of the emperor) in an ‘indecent’ context. Since the emperor was considered divine, it would have been irreverent to use his image in a brothel.

Gaming or counting tokens:

Other historians suspect that they were gaming tokens or jetons used in parlour games or in private settings. The erotic depictions would then be an expression of Roman permissiveness, not necessarily evidence of practical use in brothels.

Dating and locations

Most of the known spintriae date from the early 1st century AD, mainly from Pompeii, Herculaneum and other cities in Campania. Their use seems to have ended around the middle of the century – presumably as a result of moral reforms or changing social conventions.

Finds are mostly made of non-ferrous metal. Originals can now be found in museums such as the British Museum in London, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples.

A piece of Roman everyday and erotic history

This replica allows you to hold an authentic relic of everyday Roman culture in your hands – an artefact that bears witness to artistic skill, social double standards and ancient eroticism in equal measure.

Whether as a collector's item, a gift for history lovers or a decorative ornament, this spintria is an extraordinary and historic object that offers a fascinating insight into the world of ancient Rome.