Ave!

Key, Roman, Rotary, ca. 1st-3rd Cent. AD

Copper alloy; 25mm/2.8gm, green patina, cleaned and waxed

Seller's Note/ What is a "rotary" key? Basically, a key with a hole in the shaft that, when placed in a the lock and pressed in, allowed the key to open the lock. Ancient Romans used such keys to lock away their precious valuables in small boxes made either of wood or metal. Such keys were attached to a string or metal loop. Tiny box keys like this are quite scarce in such sublime condition.