Lot 4630

Description

L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus, (89 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (3.90 g), obv. bare head of king Tatius to right, SABIN behind, rev. Tarpeia facing, buried to her waist in shields, with raised hands, trying to thrust off two soldiers casting their shields at her, [palm before], star in crescent above, [L.]TITVRI in exergue, (S.252, Cr.344/2b, Syd.699, RSC Tituria 4). Slightly off-centred, otherwise very fine and scarce.

Tarpeia, a virgin of the period of Romulus's war with Tatius and the Sabines, was supposed to have sacrificed her country for her love of gold. She opened the gate, the price of her treason being the bracelets of gold on the Sabine arms. The enemy soldiers were disgusted with her treachery and buried her in a pile of their own shields.