Narrowing provenance for ancient Greek silver coins using Ag isotopes and Sb contents of potential ores

Vaxevanopoulos, Markos; Davis, Gillan; Milot, Jean; Blichert‐Toft, Janne; Malod-Dognin, Chloé; Albarède, Francis

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2022.105645

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Spinel clinopyroxenite displays a slightly positive δ 109 Ag value of +0.024‰. By compiling the data set from previous studies, ,− ,,,,, the histogram of δ 109 Ag in silver coins and the hydrothermal ore deposits shows normal Gaussian distributions (Figure a). Besides, the δ 109 Ag values of Balmuccia ultramafic rocks and BHVO-2 are compared to those of other terrestrial rocks (Figure b).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…(a) Histogram of δ 109 Ag in silver coins and ore samples and (b) distribution of δ 109 Ag in terrestrial rocks from previous contributions and this work relative to NIST SRM 978a and the BSE. Data derived from previous studies, ,− ,,,,, and this work.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…During early research, silver isotopic compositions were particularly useful in studying volatile depletion in the early solar system because the extinct radionuclide 107 Pd decays to 107 Ag (half-life of 6.5 Ma) . The Pd–Ag chronometer has been successfully applied to study core formation and volatile-element depletion processes in the early solar system. ,− More recently, with an improved understanding of the fractionation mechanisms of silver isotopes in processes affecting the environment, δ 109 Ag values have been applied as a sensitive tool to track the sources and paths of migration of silver contaminants. − The narrow range of δ 109 Ag silver isotope ratios in silver coins from different periods − and minimal metallurgical isotopic fractionation make silver isotopes excellent recorders of the provenance and circulation of past silver coinages. ,− In contrast, the range of δ 109 Ag values of silver ore deposits is much greater (δ 109 Ag = −1.0 to +2.3‰). − Studies related to the genesis of polymetallic mineral deposits have indicated no systematic δ 109 Ag variation with the age of mineralization, deposition temperature, deposit type, or the nature of the source rocks . Instead, physicochemical processes related to silver transport and deposition control silver isotopic fractionation during ore formation, ,,− which allows for δ 109 Ag to be applied to the study of the genesis of base and precious metal deposits and in their exploration. − , …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Accurate Determination of Silver Isotopic Composition in Silicate Rocks with Low Silver Abundance

Zhu,

Wei,

Wang

et al. 2023

ACS Earth Space Chem.

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Owing to the extremely low abundance of silver in the Earth’s crust and mantle, it remains a major challenge to eliminate matrix impurities to obtain accurate silver isotopic compositions in silicate rocks. To determine precise and accurate silver isotopic data in silicates, we have modified the traditional pretreatment procedures, assessed isobaric interference and matrix effects, and analyzed silver isotopic compositions in silicates. By modification of the silicate digestion and ion-exchange procedures, efficient elution of silver was achieved. The doping experimental results indicated that the matrix effect induced by Ti and Cr could be satisfactorily corrected using the internal standard Pd isotope pair of 108Pd–106Pd. The modified chemical chromatographic method effectively separates Ni from Ag in silicate samples, thereby minimizing the significant isobaric interference from Ni cations. As a result, the shifts in the δ109Ag value caused by cations can be corrected to less than 0.02‰. There are considerable shifts down to −0.82‰ in δ109Ag from the accepted δ109Ag value when soluble metasilicate is present in the solution, which might explain the discrepancies in measured δ109Ag values for silicate materials. To accurately analyze silver isotopic compositions, especially of silicates with extremely low silver abundance, a silver standard doping method with an optimum doping proportion (sample-to-standard material ratio of 2:8) has been shown to produce an acceptable measurement uncertainty from 0.04 to 0.06‰ (2SD). The high-precision δ109Ag value determined in this study for ultramafic rocks from Balmuccia and the basalt reference material, BHVO-2, of −0.044 ± 0.062‰ is consistent with that of −0.16 ± 0.07‰ reported by previous studies. Our study paves the way for the more extensive use of silver isotopes in studies of terrestrial/extraterrestrial rocks, something that will be of help in constraining the sources of precious metals in polymetallic ore deposits as well as core formation and volatile-element depletion in the early solar system.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Accurate Determination of Silver Isotopic Composition in Silicate Rocks with Low Silver Abundance

Zhu,

Wei,

Wang

et al. 2023

ACS Earth Space Chem.

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“…Silver (Ag; Z = 47) isotope geochemistry has undergone a renaissance in popularity in recent years due to the widespread availability of multi-collector induction coupled plasma mass spectrometers (MC-ICP-MS) and its potential applications in geoscience, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] archaeology, [8][9][10][11][12][13] and environmental science. 14,15 Prior to the advent of MC-ICP-MS technology, Ag isotope measurements were carried out using a thermal ionisation mass spectrometer (TIMS) with a precision of only ca.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simplifying silver isotope analysis of metallic samples: using silver nitrate precipitation to avoid perilous chloride formation

McCoy-West,

Davis,

Wainwright

et al. 2024

J. Anal. At. Spectrom.

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Ag and Pb isotope systematics in galena ores from southern Sardinia and southern France flag potential silver sources in antiquity

Albarede,

Boni,

Blichert-Toft

et al. 2024

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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While lead isotopes serve to determine potential ore provenance, silver isotopes help evaluate if a specific ore flagged by Pb isotopes has actually been exploited as a silver source of bullion in antiquity. The combination of Ag and Pb isotopes thus constitutes a powerful tool to address provenance and identify potential ore sources. It has recently been observed that the vast majority of silver isotopic abundances in hundreds of silver coins from different historical periods (pre-Roman and Roman, Middle Ages, early modern times) and different localities (Persia, Greece, Rome, Western Europe, England, Spanish Americas) falls in a remarkably narrow interval (± 0.1 permil, or ± 1 on the epsilon scale used by geochemists to enhance the visibility of small isotopic differences, group 1). Five Greek coins and some pieces from Levantine hacksilber hoards dated to the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages have isotopic abundances somewhat below the range of group 1 (–0.2 to –0.1 permil, or -2 to -1 on the epsilon scale, group 2).The coverage of Ag isotopes in ores from the western Mediterranean, with the exception of Iberia, is inexistant. Here the above-mentioned approach is illustrated with new Pb and Ag isotopic analyses of samples from southern Sardinia and southern France. The majority of Ag isotope compositions of galena samples from Sardinia belongs to group 2 and none to group 1. While scholarly works imply that Sardinia may have provided silver to the Levant during the Iron Age, the exact location of the Sardinian ores that contributed to classical and archaic Greek coins is still unknown. Galena samples from southern France (the Pyrenees, Montagne Noire, Cévennes) are characterized by Ag isotope compositions from both groups 1 and 2, indicating that silver-bearing ore deposits in Gaul could be considered a potential source for silver bullion, both before and during the Roman era.

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Narrowing provenance for ancient Greek silver coins using Ag isotopes and Sb contents of potential ores

Cited by 9 publications

References 30 publications

Accurate Determination of Silver Isotopic Composition in Silicate Rocks with Low Silver Abundance

Accurate Determination of Silver Isotopic Composition in Silicate Rocks with Low Silver Abundance

Simplifying silver isotope analysis of metallic samples: using silver nitrate precipitation to avoid perilous chloride formation

Ag and Pb isotope systematics in galena ores from southern Sardinia and southern France flag potential silver sources in antiquity

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