Roman Arm Purse

3D Model

Origin: Mook, North Limburg, The Netherlands

Date: Between the first and third century AD

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: Height 10 cm

Capturing: Canon EOS 80D

Processing: Agisoft Metashape

Created by: Kara, Mónika Imola & ten Haaf, Esther

Themes: Economics & Wealth, Power & Politics

Pecunia non olet, meaning money does not smell, was used by the Roman emperor Vespasian as an explanation to his son Titus that no matter where money comes from, it is still money. He imposed the urine tax on owners of public toilets because the empire had no coins left.

These purses were made of textile, leather, or in this case, bronze. The owners of public toilets used the Roman arm purse to store and carry the coins they received from users. They had to wear the purse around their arm because the lid could be closed by the pressure of the arm. This made carrying money safe and helped prevent theft.

Top or Topic, Archaeological Higlights & Mysteries from the Maastricht Area. Centre Céramique. (2017).