Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 801. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $1300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

AUGUSTUS. 27 BC-14 AD. AR Denarius (3.81 gm). Struck circa 19 BC. P. Petronius Turpilianus, moneyer. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head right / TVRPILIANVS III VIR, Tarpeia standing facing, raising both hands, half-buried by shields. RIC I 299; BMCRE 29; BN 157; RSC 494. Good VF. ($1000) I

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