166, Lot: 128. Estimate $100. Sold for $183. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus. 89 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.98 g). Head of Tatius right; SABIN behind, palm below chin / Tarpeia buried to her waist in shields, fending off two soldiers about to throw their shields on her; star and crescent above. Crawford 344/2b; Sydenham 699; Tituria 4. VF, toned.

As a subplot to the myth of the rape of the Sabine women, Tarpeia was a Vestal Virgin that betrayed the city of Rome to the Sabines when they were attempting to rescue their wives and daughters. The price for her betrayal was what the Sabine soldiers wore on their left arms, meaning their gold bracelets. The Sabines were offended by Tarpeia's reprehensible greed and treason, and took her price literally. She met her death under the crushing weight of the soldiers' shields.