Most expensive d20 in the world?

[krusader74]

Christie's is auctioning off a 2nd century AD glass gaming die:

www.christies.com/Lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=4205385

It's an icosahedron with astrological symbols inscribed on its 20 faces:



The listing says "gaming die." But the astrological symbols imply it was used for divination (or some other "magical" purpose), rather than gambling. Each of the 5 platonic solids was associated to a different element (see this). The icosahedron was associated to water, but I don't know if that's relevant to this object or its uses. Lots of interesting mathematical and historical facts about the Platonic Solids, including a brief discussion of Plato's Timaeus, in this recent (Jan 9, 2014) YouTube video:



In the second century AD, dice made out of bone were the norm. A glass die would have been difficult to make and hence expensive--another indication this object had a religious purpose rather than being used for gambling.

I don't know anything about auctions or auction jargon, but the Christie's listing says "Price Realized: $17,925." This post says "price realized" means

no one has offered a higher price for the item, and it remains the current price until another is bid[d]ed, it is lowered..or it is simply bought.

Any bidders?

[oakesspalding]

Sure, I'll bid $20,000, but only after Lou Zocchi does one of his tests on it.

[Deleted]

I've seen this before but I've never found anywhere that shows each face of the die. It would be cool to reproduce this.

[Chainsaw]

I expected a higher price, to be honest.

[grodog]

I wonder if the Louve and/or British Museum will reproduce this die again? The replicas were available when this die or one like it was sold several years ago for ~$20,000 (so if this is the same die sold back then, it depreciated by 10%). Kevin Cook used to have a picture of the old auction at www.dicecollector.com/diceinfo_roman.PNG but he's apparently replaced that with an image from this new auction sale.

[krusader74]

Feb 3, 2014 0:46:33 GMT -6 grodog said:

I wonder if the Louve and/or British Museum will reproduce this die again? The replicas were available when this die or one like it was sold several years ago for ~$20,000 (so if this is the same die sold back then, it depreciated by 10%). Kevin Cook used to have a picture of the old auction at www.dicecollector.com/diceinfo_roman.PNG but he's apparently replaced that with an image from this new auction sale.

Google found me this replica of an Egyptian 20-Sided Die for sale, but unfortunately I couldn't find a reproduction of the Roman 20-Sided Die pictured above.

[grodog]

Jan 26, 2014 16:01:38 GMT -6 krusader74 said:

Christie's is auctioning off a 2nd century AD glass gaming die:

www.christies.com/Lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=4205385

It's an icosahedron with astrological symbols inscribed on its 20 faces:

I noticed that the date in the Christie's lot above is 2003. Is the a current auction for it going on too?

Allan.

[krusader74]

Feb 11, 2014 22:58:13 GMT -6 grodog said:

I noticed that the date in the Christie's lot above is 2003. Is the a current auction for it going on too?

not sure. sent email to info(at)christies(dot)com. will let you know if they respond...