Lot 256
256
A GRAECO-ROMAN BONE TOKEN OR GAMING PIECE, the roundel on one side with profile portrait head of bearded man in relief, incised grooves around the edge, the reverse with three line Greek inscription 'VIII AKOYS H' -- 1 1/8in. (2.9cm.) diam., mid-1st Century A.D.

Details
A GRAECO-ROMAN BONE TOKEN OR GAMING PIECE, the roundel on one side with profile portrait head of bearded man in relief, incised grooves around the edge, the reverse with three line Greek inscription 'VIII AKOYS H' -- 1 1/8in. (2.9cm.) diam., mid-1st Century A.D.

Lot Essay

These discs carved with portraits and symbols have been interpreted either as theatre tokens or, alternatively, as gaming counters; cf. M. Bieber, The History of the Greek and Roman Theater, Princeton, 1961, figs. 811-812.

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