Vasilescu Dan - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Vasilescu Dan
Studii de arheologie și istorie antică în onoarea lui Victor Henrich Baumann cu ocazia celei de a 80-a aniversări / Essays in Archaeology and Ancient History in Honor of Victor Henrich Baumann at his 80th anniversary (Biblioteca Istro-Pontica. Seria Arheologie 21), Cluj-Napoca, Mega Publishing House, 2021
Among the monetary finds from Ulmetum (Scythia province), there are 24 Late Roman pieces, divided... more Among the monetary finds from Ulmetum (Scythia province), there are 24 Late Roman pieces, divided into three categories: counterfeits (2 pcs.), imitations (15 pcs.) and uncertain imitations (7 pcs.). The counterfeits still show traces of gilding and were made after solidi issued by Constantine II or Constantius II (VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM type), respectively Theodosius II (IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P type). The category of imitations includes exclusively pieces of AE3 and AE4 module, of which 12 are made by striking and one possibly by pressing. They reproduce the following prototypes issued from 353/354 to 474: FEL TEMP REPARATIO (FH3) – 1 pc., GLORIA ROMANORVM (8) – 1 pc., SALVS REIPVBLICAE (1/2) – 1 pc., „Victory advancing left” (general type) – 1 pc., VIRTVS EXERCITI (2) – 2 pcs., CONCORDIA AVG (3)/CONCORDIA AVGGG (cross) – 4 pcs., GLORIA ROMANORVM (11) – 1 pc., Marcian monogram (lead) – 1 pc., Leo I monogram – 1 pc. The imitations of „Victory advancing left” and GLORIA ROMANORVM (11) types belong to the same monetary group, with 410-423 as terminus post quem. Two other specimens are coin-shaped lead rounds, specific to the 5th century. One of the seven uncertain pieces is of SALVS REIPVBLICAE (1/2) type and made in a different style, which does not allow us to identify it as an official or unofficial product. The others seem to be unstruck flans with a predominantly gray color of the metal, an aspect that could be explained by the use of a copper-based alloy with high lead content, also observed in the case of Leo’s monogram imitation.
The major transformations that took place in the monetary mass at the end of the 4th century and until the reform of Anastasius in 498 is also reflected in the finds at Ulmetum, a period that coincides with the fortification’s first major phase of function (about 390/400-470/480). These were captured by an archaeological-numismatic approach, with emphasis on analogies both from Dobrudja and from other parts of the Empire. If a fraudulent character may be assumed for counterfeits, imitations can be viewed as monnaie de necessité.
Gocha R. Tsetskhladze, Alexandru Avram and James Hargrave (eds.), The Greeks and Romans in the Black Sea and the Importance of the Pontic Region for the Graeco-Roman World (7th century BC-5th century AD): 20 Years On (1997-2017), Oxford: Archaeopress, 2021
We present all the available data about counterfeit coins of Early Roman imperial denominations f... more We present all the available data about counterfeit coins of Early Roman imperial denominations found in the Dobrudja region (Lower Moesia province), both isolated and in hoards. Cast forgeries of provincial bronze coins are also discussed. A repertory was made for each category of monetary finds. This paper gives us the opportunity to bring to the attention of specialists 44 unpublished counterfeit coins from the collection of Museum of National History and Archaeology, Constanța, with known and unknown location, added to complete the image we have of the published material. Compared with the neighbouring province of Dacia, where counterfeit coinage has been highlighted through many specialised studies, for Lower Moesia this kind of attention is needed. Our analysis for the Dobrudja shows a gradual increase in number of counterfeit coins, with the peak reached in the first half of the 3rd century AD, as in the other Danubian provinces. A fraudulent character may be assumed for the plated coins, but in the case of cast imitations other explanations seem to be involved. Following the territorial distribution of finds, we seek to establish a pattern of their dissemination within the region.
Pontica, 2018
The discovery was occasioned by the construction of a building in Km 5 area of Constanța, an urba... more The discovery was occasioned by the construction of a building in Km 5 area of Constanța, an urban archaeological zone. The archaeological research, carried out in the first half of 2018, revealed the existence of remains from Hellenistic (4th-3rd century BC) and Early Roman (2nd-3rd century AD) periods. The Late Roman period (4th century AD) is poorly represented and only by metal objects. The monetary group consists of 22 bronze pieces (billon), dated in the period of 351-361 AD. It comes from the top filling of a ditch that functioned during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD and it gives a terminus ante quem for its disuse. The coins were not found together, but scattered over an area of around 2.50 square metres, being recovered from depths between -0.45 and -1.05 metres. The group is composed of three conventional denominations: AE2 reduced (three coins) and AE3 (14 coins) of FEL TEMP REPARATIO (FH) type and AE3 reduced (five coins) of SPES REIPVBLICE type. The coins were struck at the mints of Aquileia, Siscia (with one piece each), Sirmium, Nicomedia, Cyzicus (with two pieces each), Heraclea (with three pieces) and Constantinople (eight pieces). The discovery is most likely a currency „hoard” and provides a relevant picture of the small change used in Scythia province at the end of Constantius II’s reign.
Oltenia. Studii și comunicări. Arheologie - Istorie / Oltenia Journal for Studies in Archaeology - History, 2018
The article discusses nine Late Roman bronze coins discovered at Ulmetum (Scythia province), whic... more The article discusses nine Late Roman bronze coins discovered at Ulmetum (Scythia province), which are unregistered issues in LRBC II, RIC VIII and RIC IX. These come from archaeological excavations and field surveys carried out in 2012-2017. All date back to the 4th century AD, with two mints represented: Heraclea (three coins) and Constantinopolis (six coins). From the point of view of novelty, the coins can be distributed in the following categories: issuer-type association (No. 1); symbol (Nos. 2, 8); different placement of the symbol (Nos. 3, 4, 9); issuer-series combination (No. 5); type (No. 6); variant of a type (No. 7). Among them are two pieces: No. 1 adds Constantinopolis to the short list of the mints that produced the FEL TEMP REPARATIO (phoenix) type with Constantius Gallus Caesar’s effigy (351-354); No. 6 is a rare issue of Procopius (365-366) from the same mint, SECVRITAS REIPVB type, with a single coin being reported so far in Dobruja at Noviodunum (Isaccea, Tulcea County).
SCN, 2018
Until recently, information about Late Roman period at Ulmetum was scanty. After 90 years break, ... more Until recently, information about Late Roman period at Ulmetum was scanty. After 90 years break, archaeological excavations were resumed in 2004, observing that the Roman‑Byzantine fortress mentioned by Procopius was built almost certainly during the Theodosian period (end of 4th century‑beginning of 5th century AD). This article presents six groups of coins from 4th‑5th centuries AD discovered inside the fortification, in the South sector‑basilica, between years 2008 and 2012. The hoards are composed exclusively of bronze coins (AE 2, AE 3, AE 4) and each belongs to an archaeological context. They are presented in chronological order, by the last coin that provides the terminus post quem: I. 364‑378 (13 coins); II. 366‑367? (9 coins); III. 366‑367? (5 coins); IV. 402‑408 (5 coins); V. 408‑423 (7 coins); VI. 435 (7 coins).
Although they are small in numbers, this hoards seem to illustrate the evolution of the monetary mass after the reign of Valens in Scythia province, as follows:
‑ the persistence and the apparent predominance on markets of coins struck before 378 AD in the last quarter of the 4th century AD;
‑ the late occurrence of coins minted in the period 378‑402 AD (a delay of supply caused probably by the transformations that took place in this region and not only);
‑ gradual imposition of coins struck at the end of 4th century AD and of the specific currency from 5th century AD (official coinage, imitations, diminished coins, etc.).
For the site finds study it is necessary to be established a close collaboration between numismatists and archaeologists, to ensure the accuracy of the scientific conclusions.
Oltenia. Studii și comunicări. Arheologie - Istorie / Oltenia Journal for Studies in Archaeology - History, 2017
The authors present a group composed of 185 bronze coins from 4th century AD, that entered in the... more The authors present a group composed of 185 bronze coins from 4th century AD, that entered in the numismatic collection of Museum of National History and Archaeology Constanța through three acquisitions made in early 2000s, with the specification they are parts of the same hoard found near Tropaeum Traiani fortress. After a close examination, in terms of patina, consistency of the surface deposits and chronological distribution, it was concluded that the group would be rather an accumulation of isolated finds. Althought it is not excluded a mixture between one or more hoards with single coins, their separation is almost impossible and subject to uncertainty, a fact that led to the publication of coins as isolated finds.
This paper has two purposes: (1) to bring to the attention of specialists new Late Roman monetary finds from the territory of Dobruja; (2) to emphasise the issues related to the nature and provenance of the group, warning at the same time about the possibility of receiving false information from discoverers, actions that could have negative repercussions in historical and numismatic research.
Studii de arheologie și istorie antică în onoarea lui Victor Henrich Baumann cu ocazia celei de a 80-a aniversări / Essays in Archaeology and Ancient History in Honor of Victor Henrich Baumann at his 80th anniversary (Biblioteca Istro-Pontica. Seria Arheologie 21), Cluj-Napoca, Mega Publishing House, 2021
Among the monetary finds from Ulmetum (Scythia province), there are 24 Late Roman pieces, divided... more Among the monetary finds from Ulmetum (Scythia province), there are 24 Late Roman pieces, divided into three categories: counterfeits (2 pcs.), imitations (15 pcs.) and uncertain imitations (7 pcs.). The counterfeits still show traces of gilding and were made after solidi issued by Constantine II or Constantius II (VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM type), respectively Theodosius II (IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P type). The category of imitations includes exclusively pieces of AE3 and AE4 module, of which 12 are made by striking and one possibly by pressing. They reproduce the following prototypes issued from 353/354 to 474: FEL TEMP REPARATIO (FH3) – 1 pc., GLORIA ROMANORVM (8) – 1 pc., SALVS REIPVBLICAE (1/2) – 1 pc., „Victory advancing left” (general type) – 1 pc., VIRTVS EXERCITI (2) – 2 pcs., CONCORDIA AVG (3)/CONCORDIA AVGGG (cross) – 4 pcs., GLORIA ROMANORVM (11) – 1 pc., Marcian monogram (lead) – 1 pc., Leo I monogram – 1 pc. The imitations of „Victory advancing left” and GLORIA ROMANORVM (11) types belong to the same monetary group, with 410-423 as terminus post quem. Two other specimens are coin-shaped lead rounds, specific to the 5th century. One of the seven uncertain pieces is of SALVS REIPVBLICAE (1/2) type and made in a different style, which does not allow us to identify it as an official or unofficial product. The others seem to be unstruck flans with a predominantly gray color of the metal, an aspect that could be explained by the use of a copper-based alloy with high lead content, also observed in the case of Leo’s monogram imitation.
The major transformations that took place in the monetary mass at the end of the 4th century and until the reform of Anastasius in 498 is also reflected in the finds at Ulmetum, a period that coincides with the fortification’s first major phase of function (about 390/400-470/480). These were captured by an archaeological-numismatic approach, with emphasis on analogies both from Dobrudja and from other parts of the Empire. If a fraudulent character may be assumed for counterfeits, imitations can be viewed as monnaie de necessité.
Gocha R. Tsetskhladze, Alexandru Avram and James Hargrave (eds.), The Greeks and Romans in the Black Sea and the Importance of the Pontic Region for the Graeco-Roman World (7th century BC-5th century AD): 20 Years On (1997-2017), Oxford: Archaeopress, 2021
We present all the available data about counterfeit coins of Early Roman imperial denominations f... more We present all the available data about counterfeit coins of Early Roman imperial denominations found in the Dobrudja region (Lower Moesia province), both isolated and in hoards. Cast forgeries of provincial bronze coins are also discussed. A repertory was made for each category of monetary finds. This paper gives us the opportunity to bring to the attention of specialists 44 unpublished counterfeit coins from the collection of Museum of National History and Archaeology, Constanța, with known and unknown location, added to complete the image we have of the published material. Compared with the neighbouring province of Dacia, where counterfeit coinage has been highlighted through many specialised studies, for Lower Moesia this kind of attention is needed. Our analysis for the Dobrudja shows a gradual increase in number of counterfeit coins, with the peak reached in the first half of the 3rd century AD, as in the other Danubian provinces. A fraudulent character may be assumed for the plated coins, but in the case of cast imitations other explanations seem to be involved. Following the territorial distribution of finds, we seek to establish a pattern of their dissemination within the region.
Pontica, 2018
The discovery was occasioned by the construction of a building in Km 5 area of Constanța, an urba... more The discovery was occasioned by the construction of a building in Km 5 area of Constanța, an urban archaeological zone. The archaeological research, carried out in the first half of 2018, revealed the existence of remains from Hellenistic (4th-3rd century BC) and Early Roman (2nd-3rd century AD) periods. The Late Roman period (4th century AD) is poorly represented and only by metal objects. The monetary group consists of 22 bronze pieces (billon), dated in the period of 351-361 AD. It comes from the top filling of a ditch that functioned during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD and it gives a terminus ante quem for its disuse. The coins were not found together, but scattered over an area of around 2.50 square metres, being recovered from depths between -0.45 and -1.05 metres. The group is composed of three conventional denominations: AE2 reduced (three coins) and AE3 (14 coins) of FEL TEMP REPARATIO (FH) type and AE3 reduced (five coins) of SPES REIPVBLICE type. The coins were struck at the mints of Aquileia, Siscia (with one piece each), Sirmium, Nicomedia, Cyzicus (with two pieces each), Heraclea (with three pieces) and Constantinople (eight pieces). The discovery is most likely a currency „hoard” and provides a relevant picture of the small change used in Scythia province at the end of Constantius II’s reign.
Oltenia. Studii și comunicări. Arheologie - Istorie / Oltenia Journal for Studies in Archaeology - History, 2018
The article discusses nine Late Roman bronze coins discovered at Ulmetum (Scythia province), whic... more The article discusses nine Late Roman bronze coins discovered at Ulmetum (Scythia province), which are unregistered issues in LRBC II, RIC VIII and RIC IX. These come from archaeological excavations and field surveys carried out in 2012-2017. All date back to the 4th century AD, with two mints represented: Heraclea (three coins) and Constantinopolis (six coins). From the point of view of novelty, the coins can be distributed in the following categories: issuer-type association (No. 1); symbol (Nos. 2, 8); different placement of the symbol (Nos. 3, 4, 9); issuer-series combination (No. 5); type (No. 6); variant of a type (No. 7). Among them are two pieces: No. 1 adds Constantinopolis to the short list of the mints that produced the FEL TEMP REPARATIO (phoenix) type with Constantius Gallus Caesar’s effigy (351-354); No. 6 is a rare issue of Procopius (365-366) from the same mint, SECVRITAS REIPVB type, with a single coin being reported so far in Dobruja at Noviodunum (Isaccea, Tulcea County).
SCN, 2018
Until recently, information about Late Roman period at Ulmetum was scanty. After 90 years break, ... more Until recently, information about Late Roman period at Ulmetum was scanty. After 90 years break, archaeological excavations were resumed in 2004, observing that the Roman‑Byzantine fortress mentioned by Procopius was built almost certainly during the Theodosian period (end of 4th century‑beginning of 5th century AD). This article presents six groups of coins from 4th‑5th centuries AD discovered inside the fortification, in the South sector‑basilica, between years 2008 and 2012. The hoards are composed exclusively of bronze coins (AE 2, AE 3, AE 4) and each belongs to an archaeological context. They are presented in chronological order, by the last coin that provides the terminus post quem: I. 364‑378 (13 coins); II. 366‑367? (9 coins); III. 366‑367? (5 coins); IV. 402‑408 (5 coins); V. 408‑423 (7 coins); VI. 435 (7 coins).
Although they are small in numbers, this hoards seem to illustrate the evolution of the monetary mass after the reign of Valens in Scythia province, as follows:
‑ the persistence and the apparent predominance on markets of coins struck before 378 AD in the last quarter of the 4th century AD;
‑ the late occurrence of coins minted in the period 378‑402 AD (a delay of supply caused probably by the transformations that took place in this region and not only);
‑ gradual imposition of coins struck at the end of 4th century AD and of the specific currency from 5th century AD (official coinage, imitations, diminished coins, etc.).
For the site finds study it is necessary to be established a close collaboration between numismatists and archaeologists, to ensure the accuracy of the scientific conclusions.
Oltenia. Studii și comunicări. Arheologie - Istorie / Oltenia Journal for Studies in Archaeology - History, 2017
The authors present a group composed of 185 bronze coins from 4th century AD, that entered in the... more The authors present a group composed of 185 bronze coins from 4th century AD, that entered in the numismatic collection of Museum of National History and Archaeology Constanța through three acquisitions made in early 2000s, with the specification they are parts of the same hoard found near Tropaeum Traiani fortress. After a close examination, in terms of patina, consistency of the surface deposits and chronological distribution, it was concluded that the group would be rather an accumulation of isolated finds. Althought it is not excluded a mixture between one or more hoards with single coins, their separation is almost impossible and subject to uncertainty, a fact that led to the publication of coins as isolated finds.
This paper has two purposes: (1) to bring to the attention of specialists new Late Roman monetary finds from the territory of Dobruja; (2) to emphasise the issues related to the nature and provenance of the group, warning at the same time about the possibility of receiving false information from discoverers, actions that could have negative repercussions in historical and numismatic research.