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Ancient Roman Numismatics

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lightbulbAbout this topic
Ancient Roman numismatics is the study of coinage and currency from ancient Rome, encompassing the analysis of coins' production, distribution, and usage. This field examines the historical, economic, and cultural significance of Roman coins, providing insights into the society and governance of ancient Rome.
lightbulbAbout this topic
Ancient Roman numismatics is the study of coinage and currency from ancient Rome, encompassing the analysis of coins' production, distribution, and usage. This field examines the historical, economic, and cultural significance of Roman coins, providing insights into the society and governance of ancient Rome.

Key research themes

1. How can advanced imaging and analytical techniques enhance our understanding of Roman coin provenance, minting practices, and circulation?

This theme explores the application of modern technological methods such as computer vision, non-destructive elemental analysis (XRF, SEM-EDS), and laser reflectometry to ancient Roman coins. These techniques reveal insights into coin production, mint attribution, surface composition, and manufacturing processes that traditional numismatic studies could not ascertain alone. The integration of scientific analysis with numismatic scholarship facilitates more precise categorizations of Roman coin origins and circulation trends.

Key finding: The paper provides a curated image dataset and identifies multiple methodological challenges in automated Roman coin analysis via computer vision, such as grading of coin condition and distinguishing coin types despite damage... Read more
Key finding: Using non-destructive μ-XRF and SEM-EDS analyses, this study distinguishes differences in surface elemental composition and morphological corrosion layers (patinas) of two Roman bronze coin groups. The findings demonstrate... Read more
Key finding: This investigation applies laser-based reflectometry alongside XRF to analyze surface layer thicknesses and corrosion states of Roman Gallic Empire antoniniani. By identifying subtle surface morphological differences... Read more
Key finding: Through art-historical stylistic analysis, this paper identifies individual engravers working across multiple mints producing Caracalla tetradrachms. It provides the first direct evidence of collaborative practices between... Read more
Key finding: By systematically surveying coins bearing imperial names with the root 'max,' this study elucidates how abbreviated and damaged legends on Roman coinage have caused confusion in identifying specific emperors. It demonstrates... Read more

2. What can the iconography and materiality of Roman medallions and coin imitations reveal about their socio-political functions and cultural exchanges?

This theme centers on the interpretative study of Roman bronze medallions, non-circulating large-format coins, and coin imitations including medieval pendants and foreign copies of Roman imperial denarii. These objects, distinguished from regular currency, bear unique iconography and material properties that reflect their use as diplomatic gifts, status symbols, or mediators of imperial imagery across diverse cultures. The study of these items reveals nuances about social identity, political messaging, and cross-cultural interactions informed by numismatic symbolism and production techniques.

Key finding: Focusing on Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus, and Commodus' medallions, this study differentiates these large bronze pieces from currency, asserting they were ceremonial gifts commemorating imperial events (e.g., New Year,... Read more
Key finding: This study reveals that an Early Medieval Anglo-Saxon gold pendant, combining obverse and reverse features from two different Roman gold solidi, is not a genuine coin but a locally produced imitation with stylistic and... Read more

3. How do numismatic evidence and coin circulation patterns inform our understanding of social, political, and economic identities in Roman provincial contexts and colonial settlements?

This research area employs numismatic data—including coin hoards, circulation patterns, and localized minting—to elucidate the complex processes of identity formation, ethnic interaction, and economic integration in Roman provinces and colonial settlements. It explores the nuances in local coin production and usage as reflections of tensions or collaborations between indigenous populations and Roman colonizers, and as indicators of political authority, cultural hybridity, and economic dynamics.

Key finding: This paper contextualizes the earliest bronze coinage of Ariminum within scholarly debates over Roman colonial identity, arguing that coin imagery and minting reflect competitive tensions among heterogeneous ethnic and social... Read more
Key finding: Systematic archaeological and numismatic analysis at the Roman auxiliary fort of Pojejena reveals a coin circulation pattern distinct from broader Dacian province trends. Stratigraphic and typological data from securely... Read more
Key finding: Numismatic evidence from Meẓad Yeroḥam, including Roman denarii and provincial coins, supports an occupational continuum from the 1st to the 6th-7th centuries CE. The coin profile suggests sustained trade or military presence... Read more
Key finding: Analysis of 84 coins from 43 burials in Verona and its environs shows a consistent ritual use of currency in funerary contexts between the 3rd and 7th centuries CE. The study correlates coin types, positions within tombs, and... Read more

All papers in Ancient Roman Numismatics

A pesquisa qualitativa desempenha papel fundamental na produção de conhecimento, especialmente na área da educação. De acordo com Silva (2014), esse tipo de pesquisa baseia-se na coleta de dados descritivos e na interpretação do... more
This paper is the 27th part in a consecutive annual
catalogue of medieval seal matrices to be published
in this journal. As usual, impressions of all the
matrices contained in this catalogue are available
for study at Norwich Castle Museum.
During the reign of Constantine I, almost all monetary gold and silver donatives were struck and distributed at the location of the court. The near constant travelling of the emperor resulted in a series of donative emissions produced... more
Analyse élémentaire par activation aux neutrons rapides de cyclotron de vingt-deux monnaies arabo-sassanides de cuivre dans le but de déterminer s'il existe un rapport entre le type d'alliage et le type monétaire, l'émetteur de... more
This white paper proposes a systems-based operational interpretation of the eastern sector of the Colosseum complex in Rome. Building upon recent archaeological findings published by the Parco archeologico del Colosseo (PArCo), recent... more
La questione legata all'uso dei due termini "Lybia" e "Africa" possiede diverse sfumature che sarebbe il caso chiarire perché ha differenti prospettive sia storiche sia geografiche. Entrambe le forme contengono elementi di identità e... more
The numismatic evaluation of the coin finds from Răchiteni comprises a small group of 20 pieces, collected from the 146 graves. Depending on the ruling authority of the time, the coins originate from the Holy Roman Empire (6 pcs.), the... more
Myriam DOHR-COMBE, Jean-Denis LAFFITE, Philippe SCHIESSER, Une bulle byzantine trouvée en fouille archéologique à Velaines (Meuse), BSFN, 80/09, octobre 2025, p. 323-324.
Le petit mobilier qui circule sur le marché de l’art au xixe siècle et peuple nombre de collections publiques et privées constitue une catégorie hétérogène : dimensions, matériaux, techniques, usages et provenances sont variés.... more
This article proposes an empirically derived classification of Celtic gold-stater weights and develops a dating procedure built on it. The classification-provisionally labelled EG1 through EG6-is recovered from a combined corpus of n =... more
член РГО, канд. психол. наук, независимый исследователь I век н.э. VI век н.э. IX век н.э. XII век н.э. 1400 1650 1850 1900 Концепция денег не интериоризирована Население знакомо с концепцией денег но не пользуется ей повседневно.... more
After Rome’s power faded in western Europe, gold still spoke. Small gold coins moved through the ports, markets, and royal courts of the early Middle Ages. They crossed the Channel from Francia. They passed through Kent, London, York, and... more