A Multi-Analytical Approach on Silver-Copper Coins of the Roman Empire to Elucidate the Economy of the 3rd Century A.D.

Abstract

In this study, 160 silver-copper alloy denarii and antoniniani from the 3rd century A.D. were studied to obtain their overall chemical composition. The approach used for their characterisation is based on a combination of physical, chemical, and chemometric techniques. The aim is to identify and quantify major and trace elements in Roman silver-copper coins in order to assess changes in composition and to confirm the devaluation of the currency. After a first cataloguing step, μ-EDXRF and SEM-EDX techniques were performed to identify the elements on the coins’ surface. A micro-destructive sampling method was employed on a representative sample of the coins to quantify the elements present in the bulk. The powder obtained from drilling 12 coins (keeping the two categories of coins separate) was dissolved in an acidic medium; heated and sonicated to facilitate dissolution; and then analysed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. The two currencies had different average alloy percentages; in particular, the % difference of Ag was about 8%. The other elements were found in concentrations <1 wt%. Of these, the element highest in concentration were Pb and Sn, which is in agreement with the literature. The multivariate analysis performed on the data acquired revealed two groups of coins, corresponding to the two currencies.

Archaeometallurgical Analysis of the Provincial Silver Coinage of Judah: More on the Chaîne Opératoire of the Minting Process

“…The study of ancient silver coins includes aspects associated with minting skills, technological abilities, and political and economic considerations of a particular period, and can assist in understanding the connection between political and economic events [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Moreover, it can assist in understanding the economic choices of the minting authorities during times of crisis according to conflicts, as well as during times of reduced supply of metal [ 8 ]. For example, throughout history, during periods of high inflation, the silver content of coins is lower than the standard.…”

Metallurgical technology of coins from Samshvilde fortress (South Georgia, Caucasus)

“…Analytical techniques commonly used for archaeometric aims for different materials such as Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) [2,3] were also applied with success to the metallurgical investigations to define the manufacturing process of the coins from the choice of the raw materials until to the minting [4][5][6]. Georgia and more in general Caucasus are, since the ancient times, a fundamental crossroad between the Western and Eastern civilizations with strict contamination of lifestyle, culture, and manufacturing techniques.…”