Genuine/Original Spintria/Spintriae Tokens (Roman Brothel Tokens)?

Hello,

I have a couple of ancient lead roman Spintria/Spintriae tokens (roman brothel tokens) and I was wondering if anyone has any opinions as to whether or not they’re genuine and if so what they might be worth in todays’ market. I know there are a lot of fakes out there but these ones look original to me. Anyone have any opinions on the matter? Any information would be great. Also, please let me know if you have any questions for me. Thanks.

Best Regards,

-Kyle

 

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Lead coins, eh? ... sounds like a job for Ardy!!?

 

Bill would be the authority on these, but I do not like the look of them personally.

 

hi,write me [edited - no swapping/selling]

thank you:gerold.

 

I hope someone can offer an authoritative opinion but I do not have a single example in my collection so my opinion is virtually meaningless....but they seem ancient (and unfamiliar to me) and I hope they are genuine because they would be cool examples of the type.

 

A quick google search sent back a cointalk thread from several years ago on the subject.
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/where-to-get-roman-sprintia-prostitution-coins.109270/
There are several links in there.

I found over 100 examples in acsearch.info
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?term=Spintria&category=1&images=1&currency=usd&order=0#19

I did not see an exact match, but similar art work. Only one or two were as out of round as much as yours. I saw some IIIs and they look like yours.



The most quoted reference is a 1973 Numismatic Chronicle article by Buttrey:
Buttrey, NC 13, 1973
This kind of token is widely reproduced. I would not spend big money unless you find an expert in the field, or read enough to convince yourself they are not modern reproductions.

 

Thanks to @rrdenarius for linking to the last thread. I feel like all I ever do around here is explain why things aren't brothel tokens.

Anyway, I can confirm that these are fakes. The fabric is completely wrong for the issue and the style is weird too. These only really only occur in bronze, by there are a very, very few "erotic" lead types recorded by Rostowzew (Tesserarum Urbis Romae et Suburbi Plumbearum Sylloge, 1903, no. 905-31 – mostly showing phalluses and with an entirely non-erotic meaning). For a good, brief overview of current thinking on these objects, see what I wrote for this lot: http://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=288477.

 

It's good to be a specialist, my brothel-coin friend

 

It is good to be a specialists of any type. Glad to have them here. Jim

 

Like Jim and Steve, I'm glad you're here also! I really appreciate the knowledge and substance you bring to posts about brothel and other ancient "tokens". You've interested me in the types but don't worry, I'm not a threat at auctions.

 

I think Steve is an expert here.

 

Hey, that was taken out of context!!

 

Hello,

I don't see any contact information here if you want to contact me my email address is removed! Do not put your email address info in a public post , use the PM "conversations" or you will be on every mailing list around.

 

Hi,

I'm looking for someone who could take a look at erotic token and tell me something about it. Its made out of lead and it does not have the numbers, both sides are with erotic content. Its was a ground find, so its not fake for sure. I dont want to post pictures of it becouse you probably have young members here. So if you are interested PM me, and I will send you fotos. Thanks for your time!

 

@germalit start a new thread and post pics.

 

Welcome @germalit. Include in your title you new thread as Adult Content if it's that explicit.

 

Welcome, @germalit.

Perhaps your token is genuinely ancient and authentic, but being found in the ground is no guarantee. Hopefully someone will be able to help you identify it.

 

What do the numbers stand for?

 

Lead is notoriously difficult to authenticate because it artificially aging is very convincing.