3rd century BC-2nd century AD. A mixed group of twenty ceramic tokens or seals of a variety of designs, colours and sizes; partial fingerprints visible in the clay; motifs in relief including busts of emperors (Marcus Aurelius) and empresses (Faustina Minor), facing busts and possible mythological figures of gods. See Virlouvet, C., Tessera Frumentaria. Les procédures de distribution du blé public à Rome à la fin de la République et au début de l’ Empire (Bibliothèque des Écoles Françaises d’ Athènes et de Rome, vol. 286), Rome, 1995.40 grams total, 15-23mm (1/2 - 1"). From a Dutch private collection; formerly in a European collection, acquired before 1980. The term tessera was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term ???????? (token"). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wooden or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens however are not exclusively coin shaped, as the Latin term tessera suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets. [20, No Reserve]