COIN (ROMAN)
A silver Roman Republican denarius of L. Titurius L. f. Sabinus dating to the period c. 89 BC (Reece Period 1). Obverse type: SABIN A.PV; head of King Tatius facing right. Reverse type: L.TITVRI; two soldiers killing Tarpeia; above, star in crescent. Mint of Rome. RRC, p. 352, no. 344/2c  
Ruler: Republic
Moneyer: Titurius Sabinus, L.
Denomination: Denarius (Roman Republic)
Material: Silver
Mint: Rome
Mintmark: -/-//-
Obverse: Head of King Tatius right
Obverse legend: SABIN A.PV
Reverse: Two soldiers killing Tarpeia; above, star in crescent
Reverse legend: [L.TITVRI]
Dated: -89.0 to -89.0
Weight (g): 3.44
Diameter (mm): 18.49
Thickness (mm): 1.55
Completeness: Complete
Preservation: Fair
Parish: Mordon
District: County Durham
County: County Durham
Region: North East
Discovery method: Metal detector
RRC reference: rrc-344.2c
Notes: According to Roman mythology, Tarpeia was the daughter of the Roman commander Spurius Tarpeius who betrayed the city of Rome to the Sabines for a reward of jewelry. However, the Sabines were so appalled by her betrayl that she was instead crushed to death under Sabine shields, and her body cast from the southern cliff of Rome's Capitoline Hill, hence forward called the Tarpeian Rock (Rupes Tarpeia).