'The Uttoxeter' Roman Octagonal Rolling Dice

1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.

2 1/8 in. (58 grams, 54 mm).

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.

Provenance

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.'

Literature

Cf. The British Museum, museum number 1871,0910.2, for a similar hexagonal bone example.

Footnotes

The PAS report describes this find of note as being 'in extremely good condition'. The dots may once have had an enamel fill.

CONDITION

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LOT 0137