3rd century BC-2nd century AD. A group of twenty ceramic bullae or tesserae each with a low-relief motif including: standing figures, facing portraits, radiate, bearded, and female busts. 32.7 grams total, 15-22mm (1/2 - 1"). From a Dutch private collection; formerly in a European collection, acquired before 1980. The term tessera is the Latin translation of the Greek ???????? (token"). Tesserae consisted of small tiles, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood or glass, and stamped as well as engraved. They were not exclusively circular. The Latin term tessera refers to a square or four-sided shape, and this is confirmed in several cases by material remains. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome as receipts for the distribution of goods. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engravings, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets. [20, No Reserve]