2nd-3rd century AD. A bronze discoid brooch with openwork monogram ROMA in Latin letters, the M and A ligated, the O formed by the brooch frame itself; ROMA also a palindrome for AMOR. 12.7 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). Ex collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman; acquired on the UK art market; previously on the European art market before 2000. The brooch is engraved with the stylised letters ‘RMA’. Now when viewed from the default side, RMA + the circle of the brooch form a monogram for ‘Roma’. Roma refers to both the city and its divine personification, the Dea Roma. But if RMA is read from right to left (or the brooch is viewed from the opposite side), the letters give way to a monogram for ‘AMOR’, the Latin name for Cupid, the god of love. The phrase pertains to Roma-Amor, a widely recognised palindrome espousing Roman wordplay in the ancient times.