Ancient Roman, Empire Bronze The Legionary Dice of Fortune — Unusual Six-Sided Ring-and-Dot Design — 28.32 g” (No reserve price)
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Current bid
€ 23
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 250 - € 300
 | €23 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €20 | |
| €1 |
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The Legionary Dice of Fortune — an unusual six‑sided bronze die with ring‑and‑dot markings, weighing 28.32 g and dating to circa 1st–4th century AD, authentic original from a Roman gaming tradition, acquired in 2025 from the Netherlands via auction, in very good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A fascinating and unusually substantial bronze gaming die, weighing 28.32 grams, distinguished by its carefully arranged circular markings and an intriguing numerical configuration of four faces displaying five pips and two faces displaying two pips.
This remarkable six-sided die presents a striking combination of geometric simplicity, craftsmanship and historical character. Each face is decorated with circular, ring-shaped pips featuring a central depression, creating an attractive pattern of repeated concentric motifs.
Unlike the familiar arrangement of modern dice, where the six faces display values from one to six, this example has an unusual configuration: four faces bearing five circular marks and two faces bearing two, according to the reported count. This unconventional arrangement makes the object particularly interesting, potentially reflecting a specialised gaming tradition or a different system of play.
The die has a robust, almost architectural appearance, with substantial square faces, softly worn edges and a richly textured bronze surface displaying dark brown, earthy and greenish tones.
Gaming, Fortune and the Roman Soldier
Games of chance formed an important part of everyday life throughout the ancient Roman world. Dice were used in taverns, private homes, military settlements and other social environments, offering entertainment and opportunities to test one's fortune.
Roman soldiers stationed along the empire's extensive frontiers also participated in recreational gaming. Archaeological discoveries from military sites demonstrate that gaming equipment was part of life in and around Roman forts.
The die therefore evokes the atmosphere of the Roman military world: soldiers gathered during moments of leisure, casting dice, challenging companions and entrusting the outcome to fortune.
In Roman culture, Fortuna, the goddess of luck and fate, represented the unpredictable forces governing human success and misfortune. The casting of dice offers an especially evocative connection to this ancient fascination with chance.
An Exceptional Collectible
Particularly appealing is the object's substantial weight of 28.32 grams, giving it a distinctly solid character. Its repeated ring-and-dot decoration, unusual pip arrangement and geometric form distinguish it from ordinary modern gaming dice.
The surfaces preserve an attractive aged appearance, with visible irregularities and contrasting tones that emphasise the object's sculptural qualities.
An intriguing piece of gaming history, combining the symbolism of fortune with the everyday pleasures and pastimes associated with the ancient world.
Object details
- Material: Bronze or copper alloy
- Form: Six-sided cubic gaming die
- Decoration: Ring-and-dot circular markings
- Numerical arrangement: Four faces with five pips; two faces with two pips (reported)
- Weight: 28.32 g
A fascinating and unusually substantial bronze gaming die, weighing 28.32 grams, distinguished by its carefully arranged circular markings and an intriguing numerical configuration of four faces displaying five pips and two faces displaying two pips.
This remarkable six-sided die presents a striking combination of geometric simplicity, craftsmanship and historical character. Each face is decorated with circular, ring-shaped pips featuring a central depression, creating an attractive pattern of repeated concentric motifs.
Unlike the familiar arrangement of modern dice, where the six faces display values from one to six, this example has an unusual configuration: four faces bearing five circular marks and two faces bearing two, according to the reported count. This unconventional arrangement makes the object particularly interesting, potentially reflecting a specialised gaming tradition or a different system of play.
The die has a robust, almost architectural appearance, with substantial square faces, softly worn edges and a richly textured bronze surface displaying dark brown, earthy and greenish tones.
Gaming, Fortune and the Roman Soldier
Games of chance formed an important part of everyday life throughout the ancient Roman world. Dice were used in taverns, private homes, military settlements and other social environments, offering entertainment and opportunities to test one's fortune.
Roman soldiers stationed along the empire's extensive frontiers also participated in recreational gaming. Archaeological discoveries from military sites demonstrate that gaming equipment was part of life in and around Roman forts.
The die therefore evokes the atmosphere of the Roman military world: soldiers gathered during moments of leisure, casting dice, challenging companions and entrusting the outcome to fortune.
In Roman culture, Fortuna, the goddess of luck and fate, represented the unpredictable forces governing human success and misfortune. The casting of dice offers an especially evocative connection to this ancient fascination with chance.
An Exceptional Collectible
Particularly appealing is the object's substantial weight of 28.32 grams, giving it a distinctly solid character. Its repeated ring-and-dot decoration, unusual pip arrangement and geometric form distinguish it from ordinary modern gaming dice.
The surfaces preserve an attractive aged appearance, with visible irregularities and contrasting tones that emphasise the object's sculptural qualities.
An intriguing piece of gaming history, combining the symbolism of fortune with the everyday pleasures and pastimes associated with the ancient world.
Object details
- Material: Bronze or copper alloy
- Form: Six-sided cubic gaming die
- Decoration: Ring-and-dot circular markings
- Numerical arrangement: Four faces with five pips; two faces with two pips (reported)
- Weight: 28.32 g
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman, Empire
Century/timeframe
circa 1st–4th century AD
Name of object
The Legionary Dice of Fortune — Unusual Six-Sided Ring-and-Dot Design — 28.32 g”
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1996
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
