Lead PB Tessera. Late Republican - early imperial period, 1st century BC (g 6,17; mm 33; h 12). Bare head of ...

Lead PB Tessera. Late Republican - early imperial period, 1st century BC (g 6,17; mm 33; h 12). Bare head of Octavian/Augustus? r., litmus to r.(?); Rv. Scene of two confronted helmeted and armed gladiators holding gladii and shields in mortal combat, victorious palm branch to l. Unpublished in the standard references, for other gladiatorial tesserae cf. M. Overbeck, Römische Bleimarken in der Staatlichen Münzsammlung München, Ein Quelle zur Sozial- und Wirtschaftsgeschichte Roms, München 1995, 97-102. Very Fine. pierced. Of considerable historical interest.

In the late Republican political period such tesserae what have been scattered to the plebeian masses as keepsakes, which in this case is pieced to be warn a talisman and souvenir of a memorable gladiatorial performance donated by Octavian or one of his contemporaries in the run up to the declaration of the Principate.