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LOT 0733
Roman Military Ring with Scorpion Gemstone
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (4.31 grams, 21.20 mm overall, 17.45 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)).
A bronze finger ring with inset carnelian gemstone, intaglio scorpion. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The ring could have belonged to a praetorian guardsman. The scorpion was one of the main symbols of the praetorian guard since the age of Augustus.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Military Diploma Fragments
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
A pair of bifacial bronze military diploma fragments bearing Latin text: fragment A, side 1: 'CAEL[IBES] / DVM [TAXAT]'; side 2: 'NI[- - -] MAX'; fragment B, side 1: 'RNESE / CVS'; side 2: 'AL[- - - / - - -] LL'. 7.13 grams total, 21-32 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
Stylistically, the diploma seems connected with the empire of Hadrian, based in style used in letters M and A. The text of the extrinsecus can be partially reconstructed in the sentences ANTO{NI}NUS AVGVSTVS PONTIFEX {MAX}IMUS... AVT SIQUI {CAEL}IBES ESSENT CUM IIS QUAS POSTEA DUXISSENT {DUM}TAXAT SINGULI SINGULAS (...if they were in celibate then, to the maximum limit of only one (wife) for each...). The diploma gives 'HONESTA MISSIO' (honourable discharge) and Roman citizenship to the veterans of an unknown unit, also granting them permission to marry. The text of the internal side (intus) should report the dating, and the names of the soldiers and witnesses. -
'The Uttoxeter' Roman Octagonal Rolling Dice
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
An octagonal bronze 'Stabwuerfel' rolling dice with rounded terminals, drilled dot numbering rotating the rod clockwise: 1; 4-4; 3; 5; 2; 7; 4; 6; an additional single dimple to the end face of one terminal; all numbers are drilled at the centre of the rod with the exception of the number 8, which is split into two groups of 4, located at either end. 58 grams, 54 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector rear North Uttoxeter, East Staffordshire, UK, on Saturday 11th March 2017, by Martin Colclough. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no. LANCUM-E6101C where it states: 'Stabwuerfel (germ. rod dice) are very rare in this country and this is the first one recorded on this database...This die will be marked a Find of Note for the area...and has been designated: Potential for inclusion in Britannia.'
The PAS report describes this find of note as being 'in extremely good condition'. The dots may once have had an enamel fill. -
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Roman Gold Ring with Hermes Gemstone
Late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
A hollow-formed gold finger ring with inset jasper intaglio of Mercury (Hermes) standing wearing a cloak, holding a caduceus in one hand and a coin-purse in the other. 3.88 grams, 25.81 mm overall, 16.69 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)
Swiss private collection. with Geneve Encheres, Switzerland, 14 December 2017, lot 853. English private collection.
