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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 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.

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]

Between the 11th and 12th centuries, various types of coins were minted in the Jerusalem Kingdom, which was centered in Jerusalem and spread mainly along the coastal cities of the Eastern Mediterranean. In the important city centers of the kingdom, such as Jerusalem and Akkâ, mints were established and coins were struck there. In this study, various examples of coins minted in the Kingdom of Jerusalem between 1099-1187 are discussed. Many types of coins were used in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. These are divided into three main groups: Saracen bezant, Jerusalem Royal denier/obol and other types (early anonymous coins, pilgrim coins, baronial coins). The minting periods, weights. and characteristics of each of these coins are different from each other. All of these types of coins originated from different needs and places. These coins, according to their intended use and various needs, played an important role in the commercial life of the kingdom. This article examines the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the largest leader of the Crusader states, from a different perspective to provide information about Crusader coins that were effective in the commercial life of the kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

In this issue of the chronicle we publish the Medieval coins, which are kept in the collection of the "Constantin Mihai" Museum, from the "Ion Neculce" Theoretical High School in Târgu Frumos. The coins have been discovered over time in the localities around the town of Târgu Frumos (Iași County): Principality of Moldavia (1 pc.): Ștefan I, gros, 1433-1435; Ottoman Empire (2 pcs.): Mehmed II, akçe, 1451-1461; Mustafa III, para, 1764/1765; Kingdom of Hungary (2 pcs.): Hunyadi Mátyás, denár, 1471-1481 (1), 1479-1485 (1); Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: Polish Crown (3 pcs.): Zygmunt I Stary, grosz, 1548 (1); Zygmunt III Waza, szeląg, 1626 (1), trojak, 1599 (1); Lithuania (7 pcs.): Aleksander I Jagiellończyk, pólgrosz, 1501-1506; Zygmunt II August, pólgrosz, 1557 (1), 1558 (1), 1560 (1), 1561 (2), 1565 (1); Ryga (city) (1 pc.): Zygmunt III Waza, trojak, 1593; Gdańsk (1 pc.): Zygmunt III Waza, ort, 1626; Holy Roman Empire: Kingdom of Hungary (4 pc.): Ferdinand I, denar, 1553; Maximilian II, denar, 1578; Rudolf II, denar, 1589; Ferdinand II, denar, 1629; Branderburg-Prussia (1 pc.): Georg Wilhelm, Schilling, 1626; Kampen (imperial city) (1 pc.): Leeuwendaalder, 1649; Swedish Empire (1 pcs.): Ryga (city): Krystyna, Schilling, 1637; Austrian Empire (1 pc.): Franz I, 3 Kreuzer, 1815. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

In this issue of the chronicle we publish the Medieval coins preserved in the collection of the History Museum in Roman, within the Neamț National Museum Complex. The coins were discovered between the 60s and 80s of the last century. They come from the following locations: I. Roman -"Precista Mică" Church (Neamț County): nine coins were discovered during the 1969-1972 archaeological research, in the medieval cemetery: Kingdom of Hungary (2 pcs.): Hunyadi Mătyăs, denâr, 1470-1471 (1), 1488 (1); Moldavia (2 pcs.): Bogdan III, gros, 1514-1517 (1), Ştefan IV, gros, 1517-1527 (1); Ottoman Empire (3 pcs.): Selim I, akge, 1518-1520 (1), Suleyman I, akge, 1520-1534 (1), Mehmed III, akge, 1595-1603 (1); Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: Ryga (1 pc.): Zygmunt III Waza, szelqg, 1598; Holy Roman Empire: Kingdom of Hungary (1 pc.): Matthias II, denar, 1609-1611; II. Roman (Neamț County) (surroundings): Moldavia (2 pcs.): Alexandru cel Bun, 1/ gros, 1409-1415 (1), Ştefan IV, gros, 1517-1527 (1); Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: Polish Crown (3 pcs.): Zygmunt III Waza, szelqg, 1623 (1), poltorak, 1624 (1); Jan II Kazimierz Waza, szelqg, 1661 (1); Lithuania (2 pcs.): Zygmunt II August, polgrosz, 1558 (1); ZygmuntIII Waza, szelqg, 1623 (1); Ryga (city) (3pcs.): ZygmuntIII Waza, szelqg, 1602 (2), trojak, 1597 (1); Poznan (2 pcs.): Zygmunt III Waza, trzeciak, 1627 (2); Holy Roman Empire: Branderburg-Prussia (1 pc.): Georg Wilhelm, Schilling, 1628; Kingdom of Hungary (1 pc.): Leopold I, VI krajcâr, 1670; Silesia (1 pc.): Leopold I, VI Kreuzer, 1692-1693; Liegnitz-Brieg (1 pc.): Christian von Liegnitz-Brieg, 1 Kreuzer, 1670; Kampen (imperial city) (1 pc.): Leeuwendaalder, 1648; Swedish Empire (3 pcs.): Ryga (city): Gustav Adolf, schilling, 1626 (1); Krystyna, schilling, 1644-1645 (1); Karl X Gustav, schilling, 1654-1660 / imitation of "Dabija type" (1); Republic of Venice (1 pc.): Dalmatia and Albania, 2 soldi, 1691-1701; Russian Empire (1 pc.): Catherine II, 5 kopecks, 1766; Ottoman Empire (1 pc.): Abdulhamid I, para, 1777. [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.

Copyright of Revista Numismática Hécate is the property of Revista Numismatica Hecate 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.)

Copyright of Archivo de Prehistoria Levantina is the property of Museu de Prehistoria de Valencia 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 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]

Copyright of Selcuk University Social Sciences Institute Journal is the property of Selcuk University Social Sciences Institute Journal 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.)

Copyright of Revista Numismática Hécate is the property of Revista Numismatica Hecate 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 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.

Copyright of Archeologické Rozhledy is the property of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Archaeology 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.)

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]