We are delighted to announce a UK-wide competition for school and college students (ranging from KS3 to A-level, ages 11-18), or those home educated. Students are asked to suggest a solution to an ongoing mystery from the Roman world: Why did Roman tokens carry numbers? Submissions can take the form of a written (up to 500 words) or creative (drawing, poster, photo of a diorama or scene) response. More guidelines below.

The prize is a fully funded trip to Warwick University for the student, a guardian and their teacher for a coin handling session, where you will be able to touch and learn about genuine coins from the ancient world!

Just like today, the Romans possessed items we call tokens. Today we might be given a token to vote in Tesco, to be exchanged for a drink, or as a receipt for a deposit (e.g. when you deposit something at a locker room). The Romans possessed tokens in lead and bronze, which were used for many contexts. Find out more on this Classical Association podcast.

Some of these tokens carry Latin numbers, normally ranging from one (I) to sixteen (XVI), though some numbers are higher. Many of these tokens date from the Julio-Claudian period (the rules of Augustus and Tiberius, 27 BC - AD 37). But we don't know what these numbers were for! Some evidence is provided below, but we ask you to use your knowledge of the Roman world to think about what role you think they might have played.

A selection of Roman tokens with numbers

Token showing portrait of Augustus wearing laurel wreath and XIII (13). The FEL = feliciter, 'best wishes'.

A token showing the portrait of a magistrate of the youth, Gaius Mitreius, and the number IIII (4).

Token showing two boys or men playing a board game, one shouting MORA ("stop!"), and the number XIII (13)

Token showing two men swinging a third person from a basket suspended from a crane, and the number XI (11).

Token showing a chariot racer carrying a whip and the number VIII (8).

Token showing a bust of Bacchus (Dionysius) with an ivy-wreath, and the number XIIII (14).

Token showing the portrait of Livia and the number V (5).

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The images can also be downloaded as a pptLink opens in a new window.

Designs

The pictures placed on these tokens carry the portraits of the imperial family, of gods, as well as scenes of chariot racing, board games, female musicians (the token above) and a images of fun (including two men swinging another on a crane!). One series carries the portrait of a Roman official in charge of youth groups, named Gaius Mitreius. The numbers are frequently placed within a wreath, which forms a border. Could there be a clue to the purpose of the numbers here?

Other objects

Gaming pieces from the Roman world, made of bone, also carry numbers on them - the piece above is incised IIII and also carries the Roman hand symbol for 'four'. The best known of these is a series of gaming counters with cityscapes, gods, individuals and other items shown on one side, with numbers on the other. So do the numbers on Roman tokens suggest they were used in a game? Others wonder whether they might have been were used as locker tokens (Some Roman baths carry numbers in the locker room so you could remember where you left your toga!)

Findspots

Scholars also look at where objects are found to figure out their function. These numbered tokens as never found as a 'set' like gaming pieces, but are found as individual pieces. They have been found in rivers, in a tomb, in the area of a Roman villa, and in a pottery workshop. Some carry holes in them, suggesting they were later pierced to be used as necklaces - could some have acquired a sentimental function?

Ancient texts

Authors from the ancient world suggest some tokens were used for lotteries and distributions. For example Cassius Dio tells us that Agrippa threw tokens into the audience in the theatre when he was sponsoring events as a Roman magistrate (aedile). People would need to grab a token to get a prize. Could the numbers be connected to this process?

Guidelines

• All entries should be by individual students, not groups.
• There are two entry categories: KS3 (ages 11-14) and GCSE - A-level (ages 14-18).
• Written submissions should be submitted as a word document, creative submissions (painting, sculpture, drawing, collage or any other artistic endeavour) should be submitted as a .jpeg, with views of all angles if necessary.
• Winners and runners-up in each category will be contacted to organise a suitable date for the visit to Warwick.
• The closing date is 1 February 2025. Submit your entries here.

Interested in Roman Finger Counting?

Learn how to count to ten on your fingers, Roman style!

Interested in learning more about tokens?

• The Roman World in 10 TokensLink opens in a new window, an online exhibition at the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow (NB click on 'Related Items' to click through the exhibition).
• Read more about bone gaming tokens.
• Find out what tokens can tell us about the imperial imageLink opens in a new window (Augustus and Livia).