Loading, please wait...
LOT 0139
Roman Bronze Military Diploma Fragments for a Soldier of the Cohors I Ulpia Dacorum
129 A.D.
1 5/8 in. (16.1 grams total, 40-42 mm).
Two adjacent fragments of bronze sheet with incised script to both faces; the larger with two straight edges; obverse with incised lateral margin and text in rustic capitals: 'SFR · POSTI[.] ISQ EO / NUBIVM.CV VXORI / CVM· EST.CIV [.]TAS · ISD / SENT · CVM · ILS QVAS / TAXAT · SINGVLI · SINE / P I V V ENTI OCEL / COH I VLP [.] ACOR'; reverse with looser, wider-spaced capitals written perpendicular to the obverse: '..THICIF ·OI / IANVSANI / COS / ..IFP CP / ...ASCRI .. / ETI NIP [.] / ...N...' [2]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 1990s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Dana, D. & Matei Popescu, F., Nouvelle copie de la constitution du 22 mars 129 (Syrie) pour un soldat de la cohors I Ulpia Dacorum. EDCS-J 53, 03/2026. DOI: 10.36204/edcsj-053-202603
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0139
Roman Bronze Military Diploma Fragments for a Soldier of the Cohors I Ulpia Dacorum
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
-
Roman Terracotta Bullae, Tesserae or Token Group
3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 38 grams total, 15-20 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets. -
Roman Bone Gaming Die
Circa 1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Cuboid with ring-and-dot markings arranged 1:2, 3:4, 5:6. 0.47 grams, 6.95 mm
From the Colin Narbeth collection, 1990s. -
Roman Mosaic Floor Section Display
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
A triangular display of square tesserae set in a matrix. 189 grams, 10.5 cm
From a late Essex gentleman's collection, formed from the 1990s.
