Regarding last week's gold mystery object, Scott Semans writes:

Dave Ellison writes:

This thin gold circle with a raised middle looks very much like a nipple, and since we know the Romans were sexually quite liberal, it makes sense that perhaps it was worn by awealthy courtesan.

Unfortunately, there is zero evidence for this mental image of bedazzled babes. Classical archaeologist Sarah Levin-Richardson says that "there is no visual evidence fromPompeii of prostitutes wearing nipple covers -- gilded or otherwise." And classicist David Meadows cautions that "considering the social status of sex workers in theancient Roman world, I doubt they'd be trusted with gold nipples. Their clients wouldn't be trustworthy either." And at just 21mm in diameter, this object seems quitesmall.

To read the complete article, see: Is This Really An Ancient RomanNipple Cover? Archaeologists Are Unsure(https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2018/12/07/is-this-really-an-ancient-roman-nipple-cover-archaeologists-are-unsure/#7ca209de1d1c)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: DECEMBER 9, 2018 : Gold Mystery Object(https://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n49a17.html)