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The early medieval coin‐using economy is traditionally conceptualized as a masculine sphere with minimal female involvement. This article examines a corpus of 135 gold and pale gold coins of the later sixth and seventh centuries that underwent modification as coin‐pendants, a form of jewellery that belongs almost exclusively to feminine contexts. Analysis of this corpus reveals that these coins were valued as coins, with their attendant symbolic and economic significance, and that this transformation into jewellery did not irreversibly remove them from circulation, offering important evidence for female engagement in the seventh‐century coin‐based economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Academica Šumenensia is the property of Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The relationship between numismatic research and archaeological stratigraphy is one of the most significant resources for defining the economic and social mechanisms of the Middle Ages. A numismatic assemblage comprising 146 coins – mostly unpublished – recovered from the late sixth-century Visigothic settlement of Reccopolis in Guadalajara, Spain, is the focus of this study. Through characterisation of the deposits and monetary finds it has been possible to establish a contextual interpretation in which indicators of durability, continuity and rituality in the use of currency can be observed. In connection with this, a substantial number of coins have been found concentrated in specific sectors of the site, especially in the neighbourhood of the church, where the foundational value of some hoards has been reinterpreted. This study establishes a constant connection between chronological dating and stratigraphic contextualisation, exploring the complex periods of continuity in use of certain specimens, while also stressing the importance of interpreting coinage within wider material assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The individual phases of the moon show us this nocturnal satellite subjected to the laws of a cycle of dying and rising. In ancient times different peoples honoured the moon and the stars and felt connected to them in some way. These two symbols are present in various ways on ancient coins such as Greek, Roman or even Celtic ones. The representation of these symbols on ancient coins is sometimes different and has different meanings. The symbol of the crescent moon with the star was revived again in the Middle Ages and was depicted in different ways on many European coins, especially in the 13th century AD. The depiction of the crescent moon with the star on these coins has a new meaning that relates to Christian symbolism. This article presents the history of this symbol, its meaning in antiquity and in the Middle Ages and its possible connection with astronomical events. In particular we analyzed a Trieste’s medieval coin minted in the second half of the 13th century by the bishop of the city of Trieste Arlongus, on which the symbol of the crescent moon with a six-pointed star is clearly visible.

We have developed a device for digitizing coins using photometric stereo, which serves two purposes. For inventory it allows identifying a coin, which has been digitized before, and avoids mixing up similar coins. This is important because the classic marking directly on the object is not possible without obscuring the design. Secondly, one can view a digitized coin on screen and interactively change the light direction similar to Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI). This enables researchers to better recognize details, especially in the case of often corroded coin finds, and also enables location independent investigations and exchanges. The digitization result consists of color (albedo) and normal information for each pixel, which allows to analyze topographic properties apart from color. We think that this type of data can enable the development of new algorithmic analysis methods. The classification of coins, especially medieval coins, requires specialist knowledge and a great deal of experience. Digital support can help archaeologists without numismatic knowledge to classify coins correctly by providing initial clues and showing, which coins in a comparative data base show similarities with a newly found coin. For the development of such digital tools, we provide a selection of coin data as an open dataset. For the dataset we have selected samples of medieval coins from three different types, which are described in Mehl 499, 595 and Bahrfeldt 19. The dataset contains 2D and 3D data only for their obverses. A possible research direction could be to measure similarity between these samples, such that samples of the same type are more similar than samples of different type. Many samples show only a part of a complete coin. This increases the challenge e.g. for shape correspondence. Multi-scale integral invariant (MSII) features included with the 3D data may help to focus on minting features.

The present research is focused on the 3-Polker coins issued during 1619–1627 by Sigismund III Vasa, King of Poland. A major financial crisis took place at that time due to the 30-year War, which started in 1619. There are two theories among historians concerning the silver depreciation of these coins. The most common theory (generally accepted without proof) is that the later years of issue are depreciated below 60% Ag. The second theory is based on the medieval sources that indicate inflation during the years from 1621–1625, but the medieval source only refers to the inflation of the type of coins and does not mention the issuer. Therefore, in this study, we use modern investigation techniques and materials science methods to help historians elucidate the aforementioned aspects regarding the medieval period. The XRD investigation results are in good agreement with the SEM-EDX elemental analysis. The coins from 1619 and 1620 have high silver content, namely, 86.97% and 92.49%, which corresponds to good silver. The amount of Ag found in the coins from 1621–1625 issituated in the range of 63.2–74.6%. The silver titleis suddenly restored in 1626 at about 84.3% and is kept in a good range until the end of this decree under Sigismund III in 1627. In conclusion, the second theory was partly validated by our experimental results, certifying the currency depreciation during 1621–1625, but the silver title was not lower than 54.2%. Notably, even this depreciated silver title assures a good quality of the 3-Polker coins compared to similar coins issued in other countries that were copper–silver-plated. Therefore, the 3-Polker coins were preferably hoarded at that time.Small alterations in the mint mark's design were observed in all the depreciated coins compared to the good ones. This might be a sign for an expert to identify the depreciated coins, a fact which requires supplementary investigations. The silver title's restoration in 1626 also came with a complete change of the mintmark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sikke, hemen her dönemde hükümdarların, iktidarların ve devletlerin maddi ve kültürel sembolü durumundadır. Üzerlerinde taşıdıkları yazılar, motifler ve figürler basıldıkları dönemin üslubunu, inanış biçim ve şekillerini yansıtmaktadır. Bu küçük metal parçalar, Tarih, Sanat, Dinler Tarihi, Filoloji ile Sanat Tarihi bilim dallarına önemli katkılar sağlaması bakımdan ve kesin bilgiler sunması açısından belge niteliği taşımaktadır.Gerek jeopolitik gerekse sosyo-kültürel yapısı kapsamında önemli bir konumda olan Mardin, Mezopotamya ve Anadolu arasında köprü görevi üstlenmiştir. Pek çok medeniyete ev sahipliği yapan şehrin Müzesi, çevresinde yer alan yerleşmelerden taşınan eserlerden oluşmaktadır. Bu çeşitlilik içinde en önemli seksiyonlardan biri de sikkedir.Müzede, sergide ve depoda bulunan 10.000 adet sikkenin büyük bir bölümü İslami Dönem eserlerinden oluşmaktadır. Çalışma İslami dönem sikkeleri içinde Eyyûbi Dönemine ait olan ve birbirinin tekrarı nitelikte olmayan eserlerin, tanımlanması, genel özelliklerinin ortaya konulması ve motif ile süsleme detaylarının incelenmesidir.Müzede Eyyûbi dönemine ait 36 örnek incelenmiştir. Bu örneklerden 1 tanesi altın, 21 tanesi gümüş ve 14 tanesi bronzdur. Sikkeler, Kahire, Mısır, Silvan ve ağırlıklı olarak Şam ile Halep’te basılmıştır. Kullanılan yazı tipi kûfi’dir. Sikkeler iki gruba ayrılabilir. Bunlardan birincisi yazılı, ikincisi ise figürlü sikkelerdir. Figür, altın ve gümüş baskılı sikkelerde görülmez, bronz sikkelerde vardır. Yazılı sikkelerde çevre bordürü olarak en çeşitli tiplerin görüldüğü dönemdir. Tam daire, dikdörtgen, geçmeli, yıldız formlu kenar bordürlerinde ortak olan nokta çift sıra düzenlenen bordürlerin aralarında inci dizisinin kullanımıdır. Figürlü Eyyûbi sikkeleri Artuklu sikkeleri ile büyük benzerlik içindedir. Cepheden büst şeklinde verilen hükümdar tasvirlerinin yanı sıra tek başına merkeze yerleştirilen aslan figürü nadir bir kompozisyon olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır.Eyyûbi sikkelerinin ana özelliklerinden biri ön yüz yazılarının el-İmam, arka yüz yazılarının ise el-Melik ile başlamasıdır. Bunun dışında Sultan, Allah’ın ve dinin yardımcısı imam, mü’minlerin emiri, fetih babası, dine bağlı gibi unvanlar kullanmıştır. Sikkelerin arka yüzünde, bir geleneğin bir inancın etkisi olarak süregelen kelime-i tevhid yerini almıştır. Eyyûbi sikkelerinde hilafet makamına gönderme vardır. İmam Mustansır Billah gibi. Araştırmamızın amacı müzede bulunan eserlerin dönem özelliklerinden yola çıkılarak genel değerlendirmelerinin yapılması ve bilim dünyasına tanıtılarak bu özel koleksiyonun uluslararası platformda hazırlanan sikke kataloglarına dahil edilmesidir. Bu kapsamda belirlenen örnekler ışığında Eyyubi Sikkeleri tasnif edilmiş ve detaylı incelemeleri yapılarak, dönem özellikleri ortaya konulmuştur.

The medieval money supply mechanism implemented a commodity standard throughout the denomination structure by imposing mint and melt points for each coin. Mints stood ready to sell (but not to buy) coins for metal. Seigniorage and brassage fees determined the spreads between mint points and melt points for each coin. Because it was cheaper to make a large coin than a smaller one, there were difficulties in aligning the mint-melt points for various coins, and these exposed the system to recurrent shortages, especially of small coins. We build a model of the medieval money supply system and modify a cash-in-advance model of demand to capture a preference for small change. We use the model to study the behavior of exchange rates between large and small denomination coins across periods of shortages. We also use the model to study how a standard formula of the nineteenth century could be used to supply small change without shortages. The standard formula displaced the medieval supply mechanism with a token currency for all coins but one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original fineness of coins is very important information that can help us to understand the commercial situation in a wide historical context. This paper deals with a comparison of analytical methods suitable for the evaluation of the actual and original fineness of coins based on a detailed case study of a medieval coin sample. Both non‐destructive (i.e., scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, atomic force microscopy and hydrostatic weighing) and destructive (i.e., inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry and the Volhard titration method) techniques were used. The original fineness can be also deduced from knowledge of the internal structure of the coin (limited miscibility of copper and silver). A new analytical method based on a combination of a micrograph of the metallographic cross‐section with consequent image analysis was developed for determination of the original fineness. The proposed approach is relatively simple and provides reliable values. Sample heterogeneity and its impact on the determination of fineness are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Musei Brukenthal is the property of Brukenthal National Museum and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

From a chartalist, non-monetarist starting point, the author analyses basic concepts of numismatics and the history of money, auxiliary disciplines of History, focussing on the medieval epoch and indicating its shortcoming in Catalonia and Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is on the phiale with the medallion from Tomb No. 2 in the Mogilanska Mogila tumulus, placed in the context of the three cups bearing inscriptions from the same find. In the museum in the town of Vratsa there is an instrument shaped like a truncated cone, on the basis of which a female profile to the right is depicted in low relief. It can be noted that the image on the seal is highly similar to that on the medallion of the silver phiale. A very close parallel is found in the images on coins of one of the most important ancient cities in Asia Minor - Cyzicus, as well as on coins from Lampsacus. The questions are focused on the possibility the image on the gilded silver plaque to be directly related to the bronze instrument and on the ways in which it could have been found on the territory of Northwestern Thrace. Some of the options considered are the seal to have been in the possession of one of the so-called "itinerant" toreuts, who worked on that territory, or of a local craftsman learning his trade on the territory of the Propontis, possibly also in Cyzicus, where he acquired skills to make such objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the social significance and functions of gold and silver coinage in the early Middle Ages. It is suggested that although coinage was limited in quantity, it nonetheless became associated with complex social functions. Details on the relationship between coinage and metal supply are presented. Other topics include coin circulation, high-value currency, and the role of currency in elite power and local relationships.

This section of the journal comprises two core sets of reports linked to work in 2012: on finds and analyses relating to the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and on site-specific discoveries and reports in medieval Britain and Ireland (MB&I), with a selection of highlighted projects. For the PAS report, reviews on coin and non-coin finds and on specific research angles are presented. For MB&I, the Society is most grateful to all contributors (of field units, museums, universities, developers, specialist groups and individuals) who have provided reports on finds, excavations, field-surveys and building analyses for 2012. Note that while we can advise on content, we are not able to abstract from interim reports. Please also note that in certain cases the National Grid Reference has been omitted from reports to protect sites; do notify the compilers if this information is to be withheld. For MB&I, see below for the format and content of the Fieldwork Highlights section and for the contact details of the compilers. The annual Specialist Groups Reports now appear in the Society's Newsletter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coins and other numismatic finds from 219 locations across Scotland are listed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coinage occupies an unusual position in archaeological research. Thriving scholarship on numismatics and monetary history ensures that the objects themselves are well-studied, often seen as an indication of chronology and of stylistic and commercial links. Yet coins might also be analysed as artefacts, and explored as part of the symbolic world of material culture through which archaeologists understand meaning and value in past societies. Using a recently-excavated assemblage of medieval Kilwa-type coins from Songo Mnara on the East African Swahili coast, this article explores the multiple ways that value was ascribed and created through use, rejecting a simple dichotomy between substantive and formal value. Attention is given to the contexts of the coins, which enables a discussion of the relationship between power and the constitution of value, the circulation and use of coins among townspeople, and their use within ritual and commemorative activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses medieval archaeological finds from 2010, focusing on records of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and other discoveries made in Great Britain and Ireland. The authors describe the PAS's aim to record archaeological finds discovered by the public, and the 1996 Treasure Act allowing museums to acquire finds. The authors discuss the death of PAS archaeologist Geoff Egan and describe medieval coinage recorded in 2010 as well as other finds such as runic inscriptions and pilgrims' badges. Also presented is an index of 2010 archaeological finds and projects in Great Britain and Ireland, along with brief reports about each project including a 9th-century industrial site in Northumberland, England, a Viking-Age settlement in Orkney, Scotland, and Nevern Castle in Wales.

The article explores the minting of coinage by German bishops of Bohemia, Poland, and Germany between the tenth and twelfth centuries, focusing particularly on how such episcopal and monastic activities illuminate the political and administrative powers balanced between Church and royal authority. It argues the practice of Church-minted money was based on Ottonian-Salian practices. Other topics include regalia, a comparative analysis of Medieval minting practices in Europe, and an analysis of historic sources related to the production of coinage.

Abstract: Processing in cold plasma (cleaning and/or decontamination) represents an ecological alternative for applications in various domains of a diverse range of materials. Considering the advantages it presents, high-frequency cold plasma has been employed to remove the corrosion products found on the surface of some silver coins pertaining to a Polish medieval numismatic collection. The effects of plasma treatment have been evaluated through the investigation of the coin surface before and after the treatment, by means of different analytical techniques: scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM–EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy and colorimetric measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This work relates a study on a medieval coin found during archaeological works carried out at the site of Senhora do Castelo in Urros (Torre de Moncorvo, Portugal). The artefact has been identified as a coin of D. Afonso IX of Leon (1155-1188). The substratum showed composition typical of bullion, Cu-Ag (30-33%) with minor elements (1% Pb + 0.2% Sn + 0.4% Zn). The corrosion products developed on the coin during the archaeological burial was studied by means of optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show the presence of cuprite, atacamite, chalcocite, native silver, silver oxide and silver sulphide on the outer layers of the coin, which allows deducing the importance of the environment in the corrosion phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contains informations regarding more than 60 ancient, medieval and modern coins unearthed in Transylvania, in Sibiu, Alba, Hundoara, Braşov and Cluj districts. Some of the items exist in the Brukenthal Museum's numismatic collection while for others only mentions from old inventory registers or publications survived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Portable Antiquities Scheme for recording the archaeological finds made by the public, the metal composition and weight of medieval coins, the distribution of Byzantine coins in England and Wales, and several archaeological research papers based on fieldwork in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The papers' titles are "Mass Execution Burial of Viking Raiders," "Bringing a Lost Anglo-Saxon Monastery to Life," "Mapping Wallingford Castle," "An Enigmatic Viking-Age Nucleated Settlement in Orkney," "From Ringfort to Fort: Tulsk Excavations and Survey," "Dark Earths in Dorchester Allotments," and "A Leper Hospital in Winchester."

Analysis of coin finds in an area of NE. England employs and modifies methods developed for Iron-age and Romano-British assemblages alongside quantitative analysis developed specifically for Anglo-Saxon coinages. The results illustrate that observed patterns of coin loss do represent the overall coin loss for the study area, and sites can be confidently compared to each other and the region as a whole. The role and function of coinage apparently changes dramatically over the period from a medium of long-distance trade in the early period to a cash currency by the Viking takeover of York. A review of 'productive sites' suggests that these sites can only be adequately interpreted through analysis of their assemblages against the background of the regional circulation of coinage and artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses the approach of diplomatic semiotics to explore early medieval signs of authority in charters and on coins, especially the monogram and the sign of the cross used as an individual ‘signature’. Coins and charters used these signs communicating royal or imperial authority differently, addressing diverse regional and social audiences. From the fifth through the ninth centuries, the early medieval signum of a ruler gradually transformed from the individualizing sign of a particular monarch, designed to differentiate him symbolically from other rulers, to the generalizing sign of the king by the grace of God, which as a visual attribute of authority could be shared by several rulers. This transformation signified the inauguration of a new ‘medieval’ tradition in the communication of authority in late Carolingian times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coins and other numismatic finds from some 270 locations across Scotland are listed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the study of trace elemental analysis of ancient Indian coins, twenty-five coins belonging to medieval period (11th-14th century A.D.) and fifty-nine coins belonging to Kusanas (78-250 A.D.) from India have been analyzed using Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique. The elements S, Ca, Fe, Cu, Ag, Sn, Pb were detected in 14th-14th century A.D. coins while elements namely S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu. As and Zn were detected in most of the Kusanas coins. Based on the elemental analysis different hypotheses put forward in the earlier literature were examined. The presence of Pb determined in medieval period coins does not rule out the utilization of local source of silver extracted from argentiferous galena instead of the Faranial mines of Afghanistan as normally accepted. From the consistent concentration of Ag in these coins despite the change of Kingdoms, it is confirmed that beside the rulers the commercial communities had a great influence in the currency of medieval period. This is the first attempt where reasonable number of ancient coins belonging to different periods were analysed by modern non destructive multi-elemental technique such as PIXE and has put the importance of the elemental analysis of ancient Indian coins in the proper perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantitative evaluation method was elaborated to determine the gold, silver and copper concentration of high gold content objects in a non-destructive way. The spectrum evaluation method rules out the effect of the differences in size, shape and surface. A long measuring time allows qualitative analysis of the trace elements: Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Cd, In and Zn. Using this method, about 200 golden coins and jewelry from the 10th-15th century Hungary and Byzantium were analyzed. Some of the results are presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the determination of mint weights in medieval Europe during the practice of counterfeiting economics from 1388 to 1469. Importance of understanding price movements in addressing coin issues; Causes of grain inequalities; Objectives of coin counterfeiting; Comparison of English and Flemish nobles.

The article describes the coins excavated from Castle Acre Castle in Norfolk, England. Eighteen stratified, silver coins were recovered, including a penny of Edward the Confessor, a penny of Edward I and a halfpenny of Edward IV. According to the author, the most remarkable was the total of fourteen coins recovered from the inside of the country house/keep. She added that the association of coins of Edward the Confessor and Stephen type I in a ratio 2:9 in normal currency would be extraordinary. However, she noted that the problem was that they do not really know about the normal currency.