Ancient Resource: Ancient Roman Keys and Locks for Sale

Predecessors of the keys and locks of today, these crude ancient Roman keys were formed nearly 2,000 years ago to fit into equally crude tumbler-locks. Over a short period of time, these became more refined and more secure, until the Romans really developed the first home security system. These keys and locks cover the whole range of development. From the first, crude trials in the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD, to the Golden Era of the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. These were recovered from Roman settlements near Thrace, on the Black Sea. See also: All Ancient Roman Artifacts

Roman, 3rd-4th century AD. Beautiful large bronze lock-face, crafted in the form of an animal, perhaps a goat. Measures 67 mm (2 5/8") long. Nice olive-green patina. Charming! #51117: $165

Ancient Roman bronze key. 2nd - 5th century AD. Great green to light brown patina. Etched markings on body, end bent slightly back. Interesting type! 67 mm (2 5/8") long. #6215: $150

Large ancient Roman bronze key. 2nd - 4th century AD. Big and chunky with deep-cut grooves. Light green to brown patina. Measures 87 mm (3 3/8") long! #6361: $145

Byzantine / Medieval small bronze chest key. c. 900-1100 AD. A very cute little piece! Measures 26 mm (just over 1 inch) long! Nice light green to copper patina. #6762: $95

Ancient Rome. 2nd-5th century AD. Bronze long key. Ring end broken in antiquity. From an excavation in Thrace. 70 mm (over 2 3/4 inches) long! #899: $95

Absolutely massive Roman iron key, c. 1st-3rd century AD. Definitely the largest ancient key I have ever seen. With two lInks of chain, measures 185 mm (7 1/4") long, "head" of key measures 2 1/4 x 2 3/4". Outstanding! #271024: $299

Ancient Roman bronze key door-lock bolts. 1st-3rd century AD. The metal mechanism from Roman wooden doors, moved by only the correct key in ancient times. Measure between 47-70 mm long. Representative examples shown; several available. $45 each.

Ancient Roman key rings! Because of a lack of pockets in their togas, Romans sometimes wore their keys on their fingers. This made it easy to keep track of important keys used to lock up valuable possessions.

Roman bronze key ring, 1st-3rd century AD. An excellent example, in near perfect state of preservation. Light green patina. 26 mm long. US ring size 5. #6751x2: $135

Roman bronze key ring, 1st-3rd century AD. Amazing, huge piece! Extremely deep-cut etails. Measures 30 mm. Around a US ring size 3 1/2. #6732x2: $199 SOLD

Medieval Europe, 10th-13th century AD. Very well-preserved Medieval iron lock-bolt / padlock! Found at a Medieval site near the Black Sea, in Eastern Europe. Measures 100 mm (4 ") long. #51131: $275

Huge Medieval iron padlock, c. 11th-14th century AD. Still retains both its original mounts - the wooden door rotted away centuries ago. Deadbolt pin still moves inside the mechanism! Doesn't slide all the way out - you'd need a key to do that. Talk about quality craftmanship! Extremeny well preserved for iron. Would make a great display-piece! Lock itself measures 145 mm (5 3/4") across, with mounts extended measures 345 mm (13 1/2") across! #271025: $425

Every item comes with a 100% Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity.
To make a purchase, or for more information, CLICK HERE

Related terms: ancient keys for sale, ancient Roman keys for sale, Roman bronze key for sale, ancient Greek door key for sale, ancient Roman key lock for sale, ancient door lock, Medieval key, ancient artifacts Los Angeles

Ancient Roman key ring, 2nd-3rd century AD. 33 mm long, US size 5 1/2. Nice olive-green patina. Uncleaned, as found. Wearable! #9098: $125 SOLD Ancient Roman key ring, 2nd-3rd century AD. Measures 32 mm long, US size 5. Nice olive-green patina. #9110: $95 SOLD Ancient Roman bronze key. 2nd - 5th century AD. Beautiful blue-green patina! Measures 44 mm long. Deep-cut details! #9067-2: SOLD Roman bronze key ring, 1st-3rd century AD. A superb piece! Sturdy construction, with deep-cut grooves. Glossy green to copper patina. 38 mm long. US ring size 4 3/4 - 5. #6784: $175 SOLD Fascinating piece! Roman hairpin made with a key at the end. 1st-4th century AD. What a creative way to take one's important key on the go! Bronze, this piece measures 130 mm (5 1/8 inches) with great light green patina and delicate incised features. key#0395: $175 SOLD Ancient Roman Door Lock-Bolt. 4th - 5th century AD. Recovered from an ancient Roman settlement in Thrace/Macedonia, near the Black Sea. Still moves but remains in locked position. So well preserved that the correct key, probably lost to antiquity, would still open it. Massive. 15 cm (6 inches) wide, heavy iron construction. Extremely rare in this state of preservation. SOLD	Ancient Roman bronze key. 2nd - 5th century AD. Neat piece, uncleaned, as found. Measures 5 cm (2 inches) long. #7088: $125 SOLD Ancient Roman bronze key. 2nd - 5th century AD. Outstanding example with lustrous chocolate to olive-green patina and sharp, incised details. Measures 70 mm (2 3/4 inches) long and is thick and heavy! #9058: $155 SOLD Ancient Roman key ring, 2nd-3rd century AD. A beauty! 37 mm long, wearable US size 9 1/4. Very cool! #9081-1: 135 SOLD Roman bronze key ring, 1st-3rd century AD. A very beautiful specimen. Rudimentary 7-point ridge design (only 5 ridges intact now... maybe that's why the original owner discarded it!) Measures 35 mm (1 3/8 inches) long. Around ring size US 4 1/2 but pretty crusty and generally unwearable. Key ring #1390: $95 SOLD Roman bronze key ring, 1st-3rd century AD. A superb piece! Sturdy construction, with deep-cut grooves. Glossy green to copper patina. 38 mm long. US ring size 4 3/4 - 5. #6784: $175 SOLD Roman bronze key ring, 1st-3rd century AD. Amazing, huge piece! Extremely deep-cut etails. Measures 30 mm. Around a US ring size 3 1/2. #6732x2: $199 SOLD	Ancient Roman bronze key. 2nd - 5th century AD. Beautiful emerald-green patina. A gorgeous piece, not well illustrated in this photo. Measures 80 mm (3 1/4 inches) long. #9090-2: $135 SOLD Ancient Roman key ring, 2nd-3rd century AD. Near-perfect state of preservation! Possibly the nicest I've had! Extremely deep-cut ridges in an ornate configuration. Nice light green to copper patina. 36 mm long, US ring size 9. Excellent! #1986x2: $210 SOLD Byzantine / Medieval bronze key. c. 900-1100 AD. Beautiful glossy green patina. Very simple construction with extended piece behind the hole for leverage during use. 57 mm (2 1/4") long. #6765: SOLD Late Roman / Byzantine bronze key, c. 500-800 AD. A gorgeous, large piece. Simple design with three prongs, the lowest one with a series of vertical ridges. Great green patina! 68 mm (2 5/8") long. #6720: $199 SOLD Roman bronze key ring, 1st-3rd century AD. A superb piece! Sturdy construction, with deep-cut grooves. Glossy green to copper patina. 38 mm long. US ring size 4 3/4 - 5. #6784: $175 SOLD Ancient Roman bronze key. 2nd - 5th century AD. A beautiful and large example. Nicely etched designs, deep-cut grooves on the head. Big 77 mm (3 inches) and heavy. A beauty! #18702: $199 SOLD
#