430, Lot: 311. Estimate $100. Sold for $65. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus. 89 BC. AR Denarius (17.8mm, 3.90 g, 4h). Rome mint. Bareheaded and bearded head of King Tatius right; ligate TA (for Tatius) to right / Abduction of the Sabine Women: two soldiers, facing each other, each carrying off a Sabine woman in his arms. Crawford 344/1a; Sydenham 698; Tituria 1. VF, toned, flatly struck in areas.

Ex Agora Auctions 42 (6 October 2015), lot 133.

Allegedly occurring early in Rome’s history, the abduction of the Sabine women was an effort to provide wives to many of Romulus’ mostly male followers. After first unsuccessfully negotiating with the Sabines, Romulus then devised a festival that would be attended by many of Rome’s neighbors. At Romulus’ signal, the women were seized and the Sabine men were driven away, with the women ultimately being made citizens with civic and property rights, and the would-be mothers of free men.