L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus (ca. 89 BC). AR denarius (17mm, 3.96 gm, 5h). NGC Choice VF 4/5 - 4/5. Rome. SABIN / A•PV, bearded head of king Tatius right, palm branch before / L•TITVRI, Tarpeia facing, half-buried in shields, soldier with shield to either side, star within crescent above. Crawford 344/2c. Sydenham 699. Tituria 5. From the Rockport Collection. Privately purchased from Heritage Auctions in the 1980s. Sold with original custom holder listing older catalog references. 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 gold bracelets the Sabines wore around their arms. However, the enemy soldiers were so disgusted by her treason, they buried her in a pile of shields they threw at her instead of giving up their bracelets.

HID09801242017

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