Massimo De Benetti | Universidad de Granada (original) (raw)
Books by Massimo De Benetti
Bollettino di Numismatica, 2024
From the second half of the 13th century to the end of the 14th century, the gold florin of Flore... more From the second half of the 13th century to the end of the 14th century, the gold florin of Florence was the dominant gold coin in Europe, later replaced in this role only by the ducat of Venice. Through the study of documentary sources, hoards and specimens in public and private collections, this research deals with the analysis of the evolution and classification of florins struck over the first 100 years. The first part is dedicated to the so-called period of unknown mint-masters (1252 - 1303/I) for which a more precise chronological order of the various issues is proposed, together with the identification of previously unknown privy marks and the recognition of most of the issues described in the Book of the Mint. The second part, relating to the period of known mint-masters, offers an almost complete picture of the issues struck between 1303/II and 1351/I, with a revision of the previous classifications and the recognition of the undocumented privy marks. The third part introduces a completely new aspect that emerged during the research: ‘unsigned’ florin imitations, that is, counterfeits made by other mints with identical types and standards very close to those of the Florentine mint. The identification of these issues, up to now classified among the Florentine ones and known only through documentary sources, throws an entirely new light on the complex dynamics of production and circulation of the gold coin in medieval Europe. The study is accompanied by a corpus of over 2,000 specimens classified according to the results of the research and a fully illustrated catalogue of privy marks. It includes extended abstracts in English and Spanish and descriptions of privy marks also in French and German.
Dalla seconda metà del XIII secolo alla fine del XIV secolo il fiorino di Firenze fu la moneta d’... more Dalla seconda metà del XIII secolo alla fine del XIV secolo il fiorino di Firenze fu la moneta d’oro di riferimento in Europa, sostituito successivamente in questo ruolo solo dal ducato di Venezia. Attraverso lo studio delle fonti documentarie, dei ritrovamenti e delle monete conservate in collezioni pubbliche e private, questa ricerca affronta l’analisi della evoluzione e la classificazione dei fiorini coniati nel corso dei primi 100 anni. La prima parte è dedicata al periodo dei maestri di zecca sconosciuti (1252-1303) per il quale viene proposto un inquadramento cronologico più preciso delle varie emissioni, insieme alla identificazione di segni precedentemente sconosciuti e il riconoscimento della maggior parte delle emissioni descritte nel Libro della Zecca. La seconda parte, relativa al periodo dei maestri di zecca conosciuti, offre un quadro pressoché completo delle emissioni coniate tra il 1303 ed il 1351, con una revisione delle classificazioni precedenti e il riconoscimento dei segni utilizzati in semestri non documentati. La terza parte introduce un aspetto completamente nuovo emerso nel corso della ricerca. Si tratta delle imitazioni “non firmate”, cioè di contraffazioni realizzate da altre zecche con standard molto vicini a quelli di Firenze. La identificazione di queste emissioni, fino ad oggi classificate tra quelle fiorentine e conosciute solo attraverso le fonti, offre un nuovo strumento di comprensione delle complesse dinamiche di produzione e circolazione della moneta d’oro nell’Europa medievale. Completa lo studio un corpus di circa 2.000 esemplari classificati in base ai risultati della ricerca e un catalogo illustrato dei segni sui fiorini.
Serie "Ripostigli monetali in Italia", Feb 2015
Mint activity in Florence is exceptionally well-documented from the beginning of the fourteenth c... more Mint activity in Florence is exceptionally well-documented from the beginning of the fourteenth century until the end of the republican era in 1533, most notably in the so-called Fiorinaio or Libro della Zecca, a register of mint personnel and the privy marks used on the coins. The mint scribe who began the Libro della Zecca and assembled the earlier material going back to 1303 was nevertheless unable to find much information on the mint and its coinage before that time. To narrow down the dating of these early florins, it is necessary to turn to the hoard evidence. The Alberese hoard of seventy-six gold florins, discovered in 1932 near Grosseto-Italy, is exceptionally important because it adds to the small number of known florin hoards that were closed during the coin’s first half-century (Pisa, Aleppo, Akko, Pavia). In fact, it is the only one completely recovered (most of the coins of other hoards were dispersed in the antiquarian market). Although originally dated to 1347, this new study clearly establishes that the hoard was closed before 1290-95, making it a good sample for the study of gold florins of the period of “unknown mintmasters” (1252-1303). Closer examination of privy marks, epigraphy and style of coins reveals new data. Some privy marks can better be identified with those described in the Libro della Zecca not previously identified and it is possible to propose a possible chronology of different issues. Research on documents of that time has also revealed the possible origins of the hoard.
Città etrusca, romana e poi medievale, Roselle, nell’arco di più di cinquanta anni di attività d... more Città etrusca, romana e poi medievale, Roselle, nell’arco di più di cinquanta anni di attività della Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana, ha restituito una grande quantità di materiali. La catalogazione e la pubblicazione di buona parte dei reperti numismatici rende ora possibile ripercorrere la storia di questa città e dei suoi scavi, dalle prime ricerche condotte con criteri scientifici nel 1959 fino al 1991, quando si conclusero le indagini del Comune di Grosseto che hanno messo in luce la chiesa ed il cimitero cristiano. A partire dalle più antiche attestazioni di esemplari di zecche campane ed etrusche (IV-III secolo a.C.), le monete recuperate contribuiscono a delineare i contesti socio-economici nei diversi periodi storici e a ipotizzare movimenti di uomini e scambi di merci. Una parte consistente dei rinvenimenti è pertinente al periodo repubblicano, quando Roselle conobbe un rinnovato sviluppo (II sec. a.C.) successivo alla conquista romana del 294 a.C., e alla prima età imperiale, in concomitanza con la crescita e la monumentalizzazione della città (I sec. d.C.). La presenza di moneta è abbondante per tutta l’età imperiale, con un picco di attestazioni nella seconda metà del III secolo ed una riduzione evidente nel IV secolo, quando in città cessarono nuove attività edilizie. L’assenza di nominali coniati dopo il 388 d.C. rende plausibile l’ipotesi che anche a Roselle si utilizzarono, tra la fine del IV ed il V secolo, emissioni coniate precedentemente. Dopo un vuoto di alcuni secoli, l’evidenza numismatica riappare alla fine dell’VIII secolo, con un denaro di Carlo Magno, e più tardi con esemplari di XI e XII secolo, a ricordare il ruolo avuto da Roselle come sede vescovile fino al 1138, prima di cadere definitivamente in rovina. Il quadro offerto dalle monete recuperate negli scavi della città è integrato da una serie di ritrovamenti dal territorio di Roselle, che permette di tracciare in modo più completo la diffusione e la circolazione della moneta antica in questa parte d’Etruria.
Book Chapters by Massimo De Benetti
Gli Etruschi di Casenovole. Passato remoto di una comunità, Effigi, 2024, pp. 211-219, 2024
M. De Benetti (ed.), Il tesoro di Alberese. Un ripostiglio di fiorini d'oro del XIII secolo, Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo, Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana, Terre Regionali Toscane - Tenuta di Alberese, Numismatica Picena, 2015 , 2015
This note presents a hoard of 36 billon denari of Lucca of the twelfth century discovered in 1933... more This note presents a hoard of 36 billon denari of Lucca of the twelfth century discovered in 1933 near Alberese (Grosseto, Tuscany) and now partially preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence.
Published in "Rispostiglio di Montespertoli (Firenze) 1943)", Ripostigli monetali in Italia, Documentazione dei complessi, Certaldo, 2010, pp. 18-80., 2010
Catalogue of a hoard of 422 silver coins found in Montespertoli in 1943. With a contribute for th... more Catalogue of a hoard of 422 silver coins found in Montespertoli in 1943. With a contribute for the study of silver coinage of the mint of Florence struck at the beginning of the 16th Century.
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. Italia. Firenze. 2007. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze - Vol. II (edited by F. Catalli), 2007
This paper is part of the work made for the first volume of the SNG Firenze, dedicated to the i... more This paper is part of the work made for the first volume of the SNG Firenze, dedicated to the important collection of Etruscan coins in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence. The research was carried on in several archives, including that of the Uffizi, and made possible to collect data about the purchase or the discovery of most of the coins in the collection and additional information about their provenances.
published in "Diana Umbronensis a Scoglietto. Santuario, Territorio e Cultura Materiale (200 a.C. – 550 d.C.), Archaeopress Roman Archaeology 3, pp. 244-278, Feb 2015
The archaeological excavations at Scoglietto (Grosseto - Italy) uncovered 112 Roman, Byzantine an... more The archaeological excavations at Scoglietto (Grosseto - Italy) uncovered 112 Roman, Byzantine and post-medieval coins. This paper analyses the numismatic assemblage and investigates the source of the coins in relation to the stratigraphic evidence. Other coin assemblages are taking into account in order to provide a much wider picture of the circulation, especially in the Mid to Late Imperial period. The recovery of a quantity of coins in the nearby caves of Scoglietto and Spaccasasso, as well as from the manufacturing district of Spolverino and the Roman villas around, provide the opportunity to compare this evidence with the wider territory of the ager Rusellanus and the city of Rusellae itself.
published in: Paolucci G. (edited by), La collezione comunale del Museo Archeologico di Chianciano Terme, Jan 2015
The article describes two coins of the oval-shaped series that has been traditionally assigned to... more The article describes two coins of the oval-shaped series that has been traditionally assigned to Umbria but that probably belong to the Etruscan Volsinii. These two unciae, now in the archaeological museum of Chianciano (Siena – Italy) were part of a large hoard or votive deposit not previously recorded, found in the Chianciano surroundings (loc.tà Provenca). This add new data to the little numbers of known hoards with coins of this series.
La preistoria nelle grotte del Parco Naturale della Maremma, Atti del Museo di Storia Naturale della Maremma - supplemento al n. 22, 2007
Finds of roman coins, coin weights and modern coins at Lo Scoglietto cave, in the territory of th... more Finds of roman coins, coin weights and modern coins at Lo Scoglietto cave, in the territory of the ancient city of Rusellae (Grosseto - Italy).
Roman and modern coins found in a cave near Alberese in the territory of the ancient city of Ruse... more Roman and modern coins found in a cave near Alberese in the territory of the ancient city of Rusellae (Grosseto - Italy), together with a roman aequipondium
Coins from 15th to 18th century found during archaeological excavations of three "silos" (cavitie... more Coins from 15th to 18th century found during archaeological excavations of three "silos" (cavities in the ground used for grain storage) in Siena, Italy.
Published in: In sua dignitate. Reperti confiscati: memorie restituite: catalogo della mostra (a cura di Giulio Paolucci e Maria Angela Turchetti), Siena, 2013, pp. 189-197., Jul 2013
Catalogo di alcune monete di epoca romana confiscate dallo Stato ed esposte nella mostra "In Sua ... more Catalogo di alcune monete di epoca romana confiscate dallo Stato ed esposte nella mostra "In Sua dignitate. Reperti confiscati: memorie restituite" (Pienza, 27 luglio - 30 settembre 2013) con lo scopo di documentare l'attività di recupero di beni archeologici di provenienza illecita e il danno che gli scavi clandestini arrecano al patrimonio archeologico e alla ricerca scientifica.
The article shows some roman coins that were among two large groups of coins and other archaeological artifacts confiscated by the Italian Government. They were displayed during an exhibition held in Pienza-SI (July 27th-September 30th 2013) whose aim was to document how illegal excavations destroy the archaeological heritage and the information lost to scientific research when a site is looted.
A catalogue of greek, roman and etruscan coins found during the excavation of the city of Telamon... more A catalogue of greek, roman and etruscan coins found during the excavation of the city of Telamon, in XIXth century, that brought to the discovery of the famous 2nd century BC terracotta decorations of a temple, depicting the battle of the Seven against Thebes
"Aspetti di storia della Toscana attraverso monete e medaglie" a cura di M. Sozzi, 2021
Questo terzo volume della nuova collana dell'Accademia Italiana di Studi Numismatici raccoglie gl... more Questo terzo volume della nuova collana dell'Accademia Italiana di Studi Numismatici raccoglie gli atti della Giornata di Studi omonima che si sarebbe dovuta tenere a Lucca il 9 maggio 2020 ma che è stata rimandata a causa della pandemia da Covid-19. Il Consiglio direttivo dell'Accademia ha deciso di stampare ugualmente gli atti in attesa di presentarli quando possibile.
Il volume contiene contributi di Monica Baldassarri, Lorenzo Bellesia, Mattia Francesco Antonio Cantatore, Vincenzo Castelli, Michele Chimienti, Cristina Cicali, Massimo De Benetti, Roberto Ganganelli, Luciano Giannoni, Alessio Montagano, Domenico Luciano Moretti, Fabio Pettazzoni, Massimo Sozzi e Renato Villoresi.
I temi affrontati riguardano le zecche di Firenze, Lucca, Massa di Lunigiana, Massa di Maremma, Montalcino, Piombino, Pisa, Siena e Volterra.
Per indicazioni più precise sui singoli contributi si riporta in PDF l'indice del volume, la presentazione di Chimienti, presidente dell'Accademia, e l'introduzione di Sozzi, curatore del libro.
Papers by Massimo De Benetti
Rivista Italiana di Numismatica e Scienze Affini, 125 (2024), pp. 17-38, 2024
Recent research carried out at the National Archaeological Museum of Siena sheds new light on a g... more Recent research carried out at the National Archaeological Museum of Siena sheds new light on a group of Roman and Etruscan bronze coins described for the first time by Crawford in Roman Republican Coin Hoards (RRCH) as found in a tomb discovered at Querceto di Casale, near Siena (Tuscany, Italy). The find included coins of the libral and sextantal Prow series and Etruscan cast bronzes of Volaterrae and inland Etruria, making it of particular interest for the study of Etruscan coinage. The hoard is reported in all the major reference works on this coinage and is also considered as important evidence in establishing a chronology for the circulation of the coinage of Volaterrae. It is now possible to publish a detailed catalogue of these coins with additional information about their provenance, which indicates that they were not from a single find and therefore may not be regarded as a hoard.
Rivista Italiana di Numismatica e Scienze Affini, 2018
Discovered in 1853, the Willanzheim hoard originally consisted of 163 gold coins, probably all fl... more Discovered in 1853, the Willanzheim hoard originally consisted of 163 gold coins, probably all florins, of which the Coin Cabinet of the State Museum in Munich acquired fifty-seven of the coins in the same year. The Museum preserves these coins among a slightly larger group. This article presents an account of the Munich component of the Willanzheim hoard, including the identification of possible intrusions. There emerges a revised picture of the hoard, probably with an earlier closing date (1325) than the one traditionally recognised (1338/1339). In either case, the date situates the hoard within a group of florin hoards that perhaps owe their origins to the activities of mercenaries from north of the Alps in Italy during the 1320s and 1330s. The study of the coins provides an opportunity to consider the stylistic evolution of the Florentine gold florin and to put forward new chronologies for and new interpretations of some of the issues.
In particular, the presence of coins with anomalous characteristics, identified here as possible ‘unsigned’ or ‘deceptive’ imitations, throws new light on the production of such coins in other mints already before the introduction of the first ‘signed’ imitations of the Florentine coin in 1322.
FOLD&R the Journal of Fasti Online, 2022
The study published in 2015 of an important medieval coin hoard found in the territory of the Mar... more The study published in 2015 of an important medieval coin hoard found in the territory of the Maremma Regional Park (Tuscany – Italy) gave impulse to an archaeological survey carried out in the years 2016-2019 as part of a PhD Project. The research work led to the discovery of a previously unknown medieval settlement situated in a narrow valley south of the castle of Collecchium (Magliano in Toscana – GR). The complex consisted of a church built in Romanesque style and other annexed buildings, now completely collapsed and still showing all around unusually well preserved traces of a medieval landscape with fields suitable for cultivation, a spring, paths and even a quarry. The materials recovered during the survey shows that the church was externally enriched with architectural decorations and figurative bas-reliefs, including that of a horseman. The settlement was in use between the late 11th and 13th centuries, a period in which the interests of the San Salvatore al Monte Amiata Abbey and those of the powerful Aldobrandeschi family intertwined in this area, until the intervention of Siena with the purchase of the nearby port of Talamone in 1303. Surface survey and non-invasive methods have allowed us to collect useful archaeological data and to avoid destructive intervention such as excavating in a protected natural area. The site is now included in two itineraries and is fully accessible to visitors of the regional Park.
FOLD&R Fasti On Line Documents & Research, 279, 2013
This paper presents a catalogue of the 45 coins found at the temple area of Scoglietto (Alberese ... more This paper presents a catalogue of the 45 coins found at the temple area of Scoglietto (Alberese – Grosseto) during the 2010 excavation campaign. Chronologically the finds span a long period, from the 2nd-1st century BC to the 6th century AD, providing numismatic evidence of a longer occupation of the site compared to the results of the first campaign. Excavation of lower levels brought to light coins of the first imperial period, a roman republican as and a bronze coin of the last series of Elea/Velia. The majority of coins belongs to the second half of the 3rd century and the 4th century AD. Particularly interesting is a bronze coin of Justinian I, that provides further evidence of the probable moment of abandonment of the site. A group of four modern coins, minted in Florence and Siena in 16th-17th century, bear witness of a later occupation, when several fortified towers were built along the coast as protection from pirate raids.
Bollettino di Numismatica, 2024
From the second half of the 13th century to the end of the 14th century, the gold florin of Flore... more From the second half of the 13th century to the end of the 14th century, the gold florin of Florence was the dominant gold coin in Europe, later replaced in this role only by the ducat of Venice. Through the study of documentary sources, hoards and specimens in public and private collections, this research deals with the analysis of the evolution and classification of florins struck over the first 100 years. The first part is dedicated to the so-called period of unknown mint-masters (1252 - 1303/I) for which a more precise chronological order of the various issues is proposed, together with the identification of previously unknown privy marks and the recognition of most of the issues described in the Book of the Mint. The second part, relating to the period of known mint-masters, offers an almost complete picture of the issues struck between 1303/II and 1351/I, with a revision of the previous classifications and the recognition of the undocumented privy marks. The third part introduces a completely new aspect that emerged during the research: ‘unsigned’ florin imitations, that is, counterfeits made by other mints with identical types and standards very close to those of the Florentine mint. The identification of these issues, up to now classified among the Florentine ones and known only through documentary sources, throws an entirely new light on the complex dynamics of production and circulation of the gold coin in medieval Europe. The study is accompanied by a corpus of over 2,000 specimens classified according to the results of the research and a fully illustrated catalogue of privy marks. It includes extended abstracts in English and Spanish and descriptions of privy marks also in French and German.
Dalla seconda metà del XIII secolo alla fine del XIV secolo il fiorino di Firenze fu la moneta d’... more Dalla seconda metà del XIII secolo alla fine del XIV secolo il fiorino di Firenze fu la moneta d’oro di riferimento in Europa, sostituito successivamente in questo ruolo solo dal ducato di Venezia. Attraverso lo studio delle fonti documentarie, dei ritrovamenti e delle monete conservate in collezioni pubbliche e private, questa ricerca affronta l’analisi della evoluzione e la classificazione dei fiorini coniati nel corso dei primi 100 anni. La prima parte è dedicata al periodo dei maestri di zecca sconosciuti (1252-1303) per il quale viene proposto un inquadramento cronologico più preciso delle varie emissioni, insieme alla identificazione di segni precedentemente sconosciuti e il riconoscimento della maggior parte delle emissioni descritte nel Libro della Zecca. La seconda parte, relativa al periodo dei maestri di zecca conosciuti, offre un quadro pressoché completo delle emissioni coniate tra il 1303 ed il 1351, con una revisione delle classificazioni precedenti e il riconoscimento dei segni utilizzati in semestri non documentati. La terza parte introduce un aspetto completamente nuovo emerso nel corso della ricerca. Si tratta delle imitazioni “non firmate”, cioè di contraffazioni realizzate da altre zecche con standard molto vicini a quelli di Firenze. La identificazione di queste emissioni, fino ad oggi classificate tra quelle fiorentine e conosciute solo attraverso le fonti, offre un nuovo strumento di comprensione delle complesse dinamiche di produzione e circolazione della moneta d’oro nell’Europa medievale. Completa lo studio un corpus di circa 2.000 esemplari classificati in base ai risultati della ricerca e un catalogo illustrato dei segni sui fiorini.
Serie "Ripostigli monetali in Italia", Feb 2015
Mint activity in Florence is exceptionally well-documented from the beginning of the fourteenth c... more Mint activity in Florence is exceptionally well-documented from the beginning of the fourteenth century until the end of the republican era in 1533, most notably in the so-called Fiorinaio or Libro della Zecca, a register of mint personnel and the privy marks used on the coins. The mint scribe who began the Libro della Zecca and assembled the earlier material going back to 1303 was nevertheless unable to find much information on the mint and its coinage before that time. To narrow down the dating of these early florins, it is necessary to turn to the hoard evidence. The Alberese hoard of seventy-six gold florins, discovered in 1932 near Grosseto-Italy, is exceptionally important because it adds to the small number of known florin hoards that were closed during the coin’s first half-century (Pisa, Aleppo, Akko, Pavia). In fact, it is the only one completely recovered (most of the coins of other hoards were dispersed in the antiquarian market). Although originally dated to 1347, this new study clearly establishes that the hoard was closed before 1290-95, making it a good sample for the study of gold florins of the period of “unknown mintmasters” (1252-1303). Closer examination of privy marks, epigraphy and style of coins reveals new data. Some privy marks can better be identified with those described in the Libro della Zecca not previously identified and it is possible to propose a possible chronology of different issues. Research on documents of that time has also revealed the possible origins of the hoard.
Città etrusca, romana e poi medievale, Roselle, nell’arco di più di cinquanta anni di attività d... more Città etrusca, romana e poi medievale, Roselle, nell’arco di più di cinquanta anni di attività della Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana, ha restituito una grande quantità di materiali. La catalogazione e la pubblicazione di buona parte dei reperti numismatici rende ora possibile ripercorrere la storia di questa città e dei suoi scavi, dalle prime ricerche condotte con criteri scientifici nel 1959 fino al 1991, quando si conclusero le indagini del Comune di Grosseto che hanno messo in luce la chiesa ed il cimitero cristiano. A partire dalle più antiche attestazioni di esemplari di zecche campane ed etrusche (IV-III secolo a.C.), le monete recuperate contribuiscono a delineare i contesti socio-economici nei diversi periodi storici e a ipotizzare movimenti di uomini e scambi di merci. Una parte consistente dei rinvenimenti è pertinente al periodo repubblicano, quando Roselle conobbe un rinnovato sviluppo (II sec. a.C.) successivo alla conquista romana del 294 a.C., e alla prima età imperiale, in concomitanza con la crescita e la monumentalizzazione della città (I sec. d.C.). La presenza di moneta è abbondante per tutta l’età imperiale, con un picco di attestazioni nella seconda metà del III secolo ed una riduzione evidente nel IV secolo, quando in città cessarono nuove attività edilizie. L’assenza di nominali coniati dopo il 388 d.C. rende plausibile l’ipotesi che anche a Roselle si utilizzarono, tra la fine del IV ed il V secolo, emissioni coniate precedentemente. Dopo un vuoto di alcuni secoli, l’evidenza numismatica riappare alla fine dell’VIII secolo, con un denaro di Carlo Magno, e più tardi con esemplari di XI e XII secolo, a ricordare il ruolo avuto da Roselle come sede vescovile fino al 1138, prima di cadere definitivamente in rovina. Il quadro offerto dalle monete recuperate negli scavi della città è integrato da una serie di ritrovamenti dal territorio di Roselle, che permette di tracciare in modo più completo la diffusione e la circolazione della moneta antica in questa parte d’Etruria.
Gli Etruschi di Casenovole. Passato remoto di una comunità, Effigi, 2024, pp. 211-219, 2024
M. De Benetti (ed.), Il tesoro di Alberese. Un ripostiglio di fiorini d'oro del XIII secolo, Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo, Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana, Terre Regionali Toscane - Tenuta di Alberese, Numismatica Picena, 2015 , 2015
This note presents a hoard of 36 billon denari of Lucca of the twelfth century discovered in 1933... more This note presents a hoard of 36 billon denari of Lucca of the twelfth century discovered in 1933 near Alberese (Grosseto, Tuscany) and now partially preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence.
Published in "Rispostiglio di Montespertoli (Firenze) 1943)", Ripostigli monetali in Italia, Documentazione dei complessi, Certaldo, 2010, pp. 18-80., 2010
Catalogue of a hoard of 422 silver coins found in Montespertoli in 1943. With a contribute for th... more Catalogue of a hoard of 422 silver coins found in Montespertoli in 1943. With a contribute for the study of silver coinage of the mint of Florence struck at the beginning of the 16th Century.
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. Italia. Firenze. 2007. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze - Vol. II (edited by F. Catalli), 2007
This paper is part of the work made for the first volume of the SNG Firenze, dedicated to the i... more This paper is part of the work made for the first volume of the SNG Firenze, dedicated to the important collection of Etruscan coins in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence. The research was carried on in several archives, including that of the Uffizi, and made possible to collect data about the purchase or the discovery of most of the coins in the collection and additional information about their provenances.
published in "Diana Umbronensis a Scoglietto. Santuario, Territorio e Cultura Materiale (200 a.C. – 550 d.C.), Archaeopress Roman Archaeology 3, pp. 244-278, Feb 2015
The archaeological excavations at Scoglietto (Grosseto - Italy) uncovered 112 Roman, Byzantine an... more The archaeological excavations at Scoglietto (Grosseto - Italy) uncovered 112 Roman, Byzantine and post-medieval coins. This paper analyses the numismatic assemblage and investigates the source of the coins in relation to the stratigraphic evidence. Other coin assemblages are taking into account in order to provide a much wider picture of the circulation, especially in the Mid to Late Imperial period. The recovery of a quantity of coins in the nearby caves of Scoglietto and Spaccasasso, as well as from the manufacturing district of Spolverino and the Roman villas around, provide the opportunity to compare this evidence with the wider territory of the ager Rusellanus and the city of Rusellae itself.
published in: Paolucci G. (edited by), La collezione comunale del Museo Archeologico di Chianciano Terme, Jan 2015
The article describes two coins of the oval-shaped series that has been traditionally assigned to... more The article describes two coins of the oval-shaped series that has been traditionally assigned to Umbria but that probably belong to the Etruscan Volsinii. These two unciae, now in the archaeological museum of Chianciano (Siena – Italy) were part of a large hoard or votive deposit not previously recorded, found in the Chianciano surroundings (loc.tà Provenca). This add new data to the little numbers of known hoards with coins of this series.
La preistoria nelle grotte del Parco Naturale della Maremma, Atti del Museo di Storia Naturale della Maremma - supplemento al n. 22, 2007
Finds of roman coins, coin weights and modern coins at Lo Scoglietto cave, in the territory of th... more Finds of roman coins, coin weights and modern coins at Lo Scoglietto cave, in the territory of the ancient city of Rusellae (Grosseto - Italy).
Roman and modern coins found in a cave near Alberese in the territory of the ancient city of Ruse... more Roman and modern coins found in a cave near Alberese in the territory of the ancient city of Rusellae (Grosseto - Italy), together with a roman aequipondium
Coins from 15th to 18th century found during archaeological excavations of three "silos" (cavitie... more Coins from 15th to 18th century found during archaeological excavations of three "silos" (cavities in the ground used for grain storage) in Siena, Italy.
Published in: In sua dignitate. Reperti confiscati: memorie restituite: catalogo della mostra (a cura di Giulio Paolucci e Maria Angela Turchetti), Siena, 2013, pp. 189-197., Jul 2013
Catalogo di alcune monete di epoca romana confiscate dallo Stato ed esposte nella mostra "In Sua ... more Catalogo di alcune monete di epoca romana confiscate dallo Stato ed esposte nella mostra "In Sua dignitate. Reperti confiscati: memorie restituite" (Pienza, 27 luglio - 30 settembre 2013) con lo scopo di documentare l'attività di recupero di beni archeologici di provenienza illecita e il danno che gli scavi clandestini arrecano al patrimonio archeologico e alla ricerca scientifica.
The article shows some roman coins that were among two large groups of coins and other archaeological artifacts confiscated by the Italian Government. They were displayed during an exhibition held in Pienza-SI (July 27th-September 30th 2013) whose aim was to document how illegal excavations destroy the archaeological heritage and the information lost to scientific research when a site is looted.
A catalogue of greek, roman and etruscan coins found during the excavation of the city of Telamon... more A catalogue of greek, roman and etruscan coins found during the excavation of the city of Telamon, in XIXth century, that brought to the discovery of the famous 2nd century BC terracotta decorations of a temple, depicting the battle of the Seven against Thebes
"Aspetti di storia della Toscana attraverso monete e medaglie" a cura di M. Sozzi, 2021
Questo terzo volume della nuova collana dell'Accademia Italiana di Studi Numismatici raccoglie gl... more Questo terzo volume della nuova collana dell'Accademia Italiana di Studi Numismatici raccoglie gli atti della Giornata di Studi omonima che si sarebbe dovuta tenere a Lucca il 9 maggio 2020 ma che è stata rimandata a causa della pandemia da Covid-19. Il Consiglio direttivo dell'Accademia ha deciso di stampare ugualmente gli atti in attesa di presentarli quando possibile.
Il volume contiene contributi di Monica Baldassarri, Lorenzo Bellesia, Mattia Francesco Antonio Cantatore, Vincenzo Castelli, Michele Chimienti, Cristina Cicali, Massimo De Benetti, Roberto Ganganelli, Luciano Giannoni, Alessio Montagano, Domenico Luciano Moretti, Fabio Pettazzoni, Massimo Sozzi e Renato Villoresi.
I temi affrontati riguardano le zecche di Firenze, Lucca, Massa di Lunigiana, Massa di Maremma, Montalcino, Piombino, Pisa, Siena e Volterra.
Per indicazioni più precise sui singoli contributi si riporta in PDF l'indice del volume, la presentazione di Chimienti, presidente dell'Accademia, e l'introduzione di Sozzi, curatore del libro.
Rivista Italiana di Numismatica e Scienze Affini, 125 (2024), pp. 17-38, 2024
Recent research carried out at the National Archaeological Museum of Siena sheds new light on a g... more Recent research carried out at the National Archaeological Museum of Siena sheds new light on a group of Roman and Etruscan bronze coins described for the first time by Crawford in Roman Republican Coin Hoards (RRCH) as found in a tomb discovered at Querceto di Casale, near Siena (Tuscany, Italy). The find included coins of the libral and sextantal Prow series and Etruscan cast bronzes of Volaterrae and inland Etruria, making it of particular interest for the study of Etruscan coinage. The hoard is reported in all the major reference works on this coinage and is also considered as important evidence in establishing a chronology for the circulation of the coinage of Volaterrae. It is now possible to publish a detailed catalogue of these coins with additional information about their provenance, which indicates that they were not from a single find and therefore may not be regarded as a hoard.
Rivista Italiana di Numismatica e Scienze Affini, 2018
Discovered in 1853, the Willanzheim hoard originally consisted of 163 gold coins, probably all fl... more Discovered in 1853, the Willanzheim hoard originally consisted of 163 gold coins, probably all florins, of which the Coin Cabinet of the State Museum in Munich acquired fifty-seven of the coins in the same year. The Museum preserves these coins among a slightly larger group. This article presents an account of the Munich component of the Willanzheim hoard, including the identification of possible intrusions. There emerges a revised picture of the hoard, probably with an earlier closing date (1325) than the one traditionally recognised (1338/1339). In either case, the date situates the hoard within a group of florin hoards that perhaps owe their origins to the activities of mercenaries from north of the Alps in Italy during the 1320s and 1330s. The study of the coins provides an opportunity to consider the stylistic evolution of the Florentine gold florin and to put forward new chronologies for and new interpretations of some of the issues.
In particular, the presence of coins with anomalous characteristics, identified here as possible ‘unsigned’ or ‘deceptive’ imitations, throws new light on the production of such coins in other mints already before the introduction of the first ‘signed’ imitations of the Florentine coin in 1322.
FOLD&R the Journal of Fasti Online, 2022
The study published in 2015 of an important medieval coin hoard found in the territory of the Mar... more The study published in 2015 of an important medieval coin hoard found in the territory of the Maremma Regional Park (Tuscany – Italy) gave impulse to an archaeological survey carried out in the years 2016-2019 as part of a PhD Project. The research work led to the discovery of a previously unknown medieval settlement situated in a narrow valley south of the castle of Collecchium (Magliano in Toscana – GR). The complex consisted of a church built in Romanesque style and other annexed buildings, now completely collapsed and still showing all around unusually well preserved traces of a medieval landscape with fields suitable for cultivation, a spring, paths and even a quarry. The materials recovered during the survey shows that the church was externally enriched with architectural decorations and figurative bas-reliefs, including that of a horseman. The settlement was in use between the late 11th and 13th centuries, a period in which the interests of the San Salvatore al Monte Amiata Abbey and those of the powerful Aldobrandeschi family intertwined in this area, until the intervention of Siena with the purchase of the nearby port of Talamone in 1303. Surface survey and non-invasive methods have allowed us to collect useful archaeological data and to avoid destructive intervention such as excavating in a protected natural area. The site is now included in two itineraries and is fully accessible to visitors of the regional Park.
FOLD&R Fasti On Line Documents & Research, 279, 2013
This paper presents a catalogue of the 45 coins found at the temple area of Scoglietto (Alberese ... more This paper presents a catalogue of the 45 coins found at the temple area of Scoglietto (Alberese – Grosseto) during the 2010 excavation campaign. Chronologically the finds span a long period, from the 2nd-1st century BC to the 6th century AD, providing numismatic evidence of a longer occupation of the site compared to the results of the first campaign. Excavation of lower levels brought to light coins of the first imperial period, a roman republican as and a bronze coin of the last series of Elea/Velia. The majority of coins belongs to the second half of the 3rd century and the 4th century AD. Particularly interesting is a bronze coin of Justinian I, that provides further evidence of the probable moment of abandonment of the site. A group of four modern coins, minted in Florence and Siena in 16th-17th century, bear witness of a later occupation, when several fortified towers were built along the coast as protection from pirate raids.
Dialoghi di Numismatica. Protagonisti, ricerche, prospettive., 2019
A brief description of the PhD research Project carried out with an international co-tutorship at... more A brief description of the PhD research Project carried out with an international co-tutorship at the University of Granada (Spain) and the University Ca' Foscari of Venice (Italy) during the period 2016-2019. Title: The first 100 years of the gold florin of Florence: evolution and classification (1252-1351),
Breve descrizione del progetto di dottorato in co-tutela internazionale svolto presso le Università di Granada (Spagna) e la Università ca' Foscari di Venezia negli anni 2016-2019. Titolo: I primi 100 anni del fiorino d'oro di Firenze: evoluzione e classificazione (1252-1351)
Annali dell'Istituto Italiano di Numismatica, Dec 2018
La circolazione del fiorino piccolo è chiaramente documentata dal 1256, però solo dal primo semes... more La circolazione del fiorino piccolo è chiaramente documentata dal 1256, però solo dal primo semestre 1315 troviamo testimonianza della sua coniazione nel Libro della Zecca, che contiene registrazioni relative agli anni successivi al 1303. Le liste di monete presenti in alcune pratiche di mercatura e trattati di aritmetica redatti tra il 1280 circa ed il 1315 indicano, comunque, che durante la seconda metà del Duecento questo
nominale fu soggetto ad una serie di svalutazioni che dettero probabilmente luogo ad emissioni distinte. Questo articolo presenta una proposta di classificazione dei fiorini piccoli duecenteschi basata sui dati archeologici disponibili e sull’analisi delle caratteristiche stilistiche, epigrafiche e pondometriche, con la distinzione in tre gruppi distinti di emissioni. Ne emerge un quadro piuttosto completo, con le prime emissioni appartenenti agli anni ’50 e ’60 caratterizzate dal busto del santo in stile arcaico, e con la identificazione di una nuova serie coniata con numerosi segni di zecca e databile tra la fine degli anni ’60 ed il 1303. Il confronto tra quest’ultima ed i fiorini piccoli coniati a partire dal 1315 rivela, infine, caratteristiche e differenze utili per la loro classificazione.
RIVISTA ITALIANA DI NUMISMATICA E SCIENZE AFFINI, 2020
The aim of this paper is the revision of the classification of silver coins minted in Florence du... more The aim of this paper is the revision of the classification of silver coins minted in Florence during the 13th century, and of the chronology traditionally proposed, based on an analysis of the stylistic and epigraphical characteristics, the weight and fineness, and the comparison with the available written sources. Thanks to the recent publication of a detailed study on the monetary production and circulation in Florence, during the 12th and 13th centuries, with a deep analysis of written sources (W. R. DAY 2018), it is now possible to focus our attention on other numismatic aspects. Therefore, particular attention is given to the style and the analogies with the coeval production in gold and billon of the mint of Florence. This method is peculiarly important considering the absence of records in the Libro della Zecca, and the small number of hoards, and archaeological finds, for the Florentine silver coinage of this period. The examination of the numerous specimens belonging to the collections that formed the basis of the works of vol. XII of Corpus Nummorum Italicorum (CNI XII, 1930) and Corpus Nummorum Florentinorum by Mario Bernocchi (CNF 1975) hallow to find new elements to identify the coins mentioned by the sources, and to propose a classification of the different types and variants.
L’articolo propone una revisione della classificazione delle monete in argento coniate nella zecca di Firenze nel corso del XIII secolo e delle cronologie tradizionalmente proposte, basata su una analisi delle caratteristiche stilistiche, epigrafiche, di peso e fino ed il confronto con le fonti documentarie disponibili. Grazie alla recente pubblicazione di uno studio ben dettagliato sulla produzione e circolazione monetaria a Firenze nel corso del XII e XIII secolo, con una disamina approfondita delle fonti scritte (DAY 2018), e`qui possibile focalizzare l’attenzione sugli aspetti piu`propriamente numismatici. Particolare attenzione viene quindi data alla analisi dello stile ed alle analogie con le coeve produzioni in oro e mistura della zecca di Firenze. Tale metodo assume particolare rilevanza considerando l’assenza di registrazioni nel Libro della Zecca e il numero esiguo di ripostigli e ritrovamenti archeologici per la monetazione fiorentina in argento di questo periodo. Grazie all’esame di un consistente numero di esemplari appartenenti alle raccolte che furono alla base dei lavori del vol. XII del Corpus Nummorum Italicorum (CNI XII, 1930) e del Corpus Nummorum Florentinorum di Mario Bernocchi (CNF 1975) vengono presentati nuovi elementi utili alla identificazione dei nominali citati nelle fonti, insieme ad una classificazione delle diverse tipologie e varianti.
Dialoghi di numismatica. Protagonisti, ricerche, prospettive, 2019
Medieval jettons or tessere mercantili are a class of material with still many aspects to be clar... more Medieval jettons or tessere mercantili are a class of material with still many aspects to be clarified, despite being studied since the 18th century. The lack of documentary sources and the still limited number of findings in archaeological contexts, in fact, make it difficult to reconstruct a sufficiently clear picture of the production, function and circulation of these objects, known by a great variety of types. This article presents four jettons of the series traditionally known as “Androcles and the Lion” found at the cathedral of Saint Lawrence in Grosseto (Tuscany-Italy). The place of discovery and the analysis of the associated materials provide precise chronological data about the probable period of use and the moment in which they terminated their function. The study also offers the opportunity to discuss different hypothesis related to the identification of the man with the lion.
Le tessere mercantili o gettoni di conto medievali costituiscono una classe di materiali su cui permangono molti aspetti da chiarire, nonostante sia oggetto di studio fin dal ’700. La carenza di fonti documentarie ed il numero ancora limitato di ritrovamenti in contesti archeologici, infatti, rendono difficile ricostruire un quadro sufficientemente chiaro della produzione, funzione e circolazione di questi oggetti, conosciuti con una grande varietà di tipi. In questo articolo si presentano quattro tessere del tipo tradizionalmente noto come “Androclo ed il leone” rinvenute presso la cattedrale di San Lorenzo a Grosseto. Il luogo di rinvenimento e l’analisi dei materiali associati forniscono indicazioni cronologiche precise del probabile periodo d’uso e del momento in cui terminarono la loro funzione. Lo studio, inoltre, offre l’opportunità di soffermarsi sulle ipotesi di interpretazione della raffigurazione dell’uomo con leone.
Nvmisma Revista de Estudios Numismaticos 261, Año LXVII, 2017
Coins of the mint of Florence (before 1533) in the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid. The... more Coins of the mint of Florence (before 1533) in the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid.
The article presents a complete catalogue of the Florentine coins (before 1533) in the collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid, together with the results of their study. The group includes specimens of particular interest, such as a gold florin from the hoard discovered in Pamplona in 1940, which is identified here for the first time. Another gold florin carries an unknown privy mark, the only example with this mark that has ever come to light. It also shows anomalous characteristics of lettering and style, which raise suspicions that it may be a deceptive imitation, probably struck around the middle of the fourteenth century or in the years following.
Este artículo presenta un catálogo completo de las monedas de la ceca de Florencia (hasta 1533) conservadas en las colecciones del Museo Arqueológico Nacional de Madrid y los resultados de su estudio. Entre ellas destacan algunas piezas de particular interés, como un florín de oro procedente del tesoro hallado en Pamplona en 1940, que ha sido finalmente identificado, y un florín con marca desconocida que, por el momento, es el único conocido. Esta pieza presenta también características peculiares que indican que pueda tratarse de una imitación, probablemente acuñada en torno a la mitad del siglo XIV o en los años siguientes.
Boletín del Museo Arqueológico Nacional de Madrid, Dec 2018
The article presents a study of a gold florin, with an unlisted privy mark, preserved in the coll... more The article presents a study of a gold florin, with an unlisted privy mark, preserved in the collection of the Museo Arqueológico Nacional de Madrid. Anomalous characteristics of this coin, especially consideration of style, and other details raise suspicions that it was not issued in the mint of Florence and that it was a deceptive imitation struck after the middle of the 14th century, together with other pieces that show identical features and different privy marks.
El Museo Arqueológico Nacional de Madrid conserva en sus colecciones un florín de oro aparentemente de Florencia y con marca desconocida. El estudio de la pieza ha permitido averiguar que se trata de un florín de particular interés, que presenta un estilo distinto y algunos detalles que hacen surgir dudas acerca de su acuñación en la ceca de Florencia. La identificación de otros florines del mismo estilo y con marcas distintas corrobora la hipótesis de una acuñación no oficial y ayuda a datar este ejemplar poco después la mitad del siglo XIV.
Il Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Madrid conserva nelle sue collezioni un fiorino d'oro apparentemente di Firenze e con un segno sconosciuto. Lo studio della moneta ha permesso di verificare che si tratta di un esemplare di particolare interesse, con uno stile distinto ed alcune caratteristiche che mettono in dubbio la sua coniazione nella zecca fiorentina. L'identificazione di altri fiorini realizzati con lo stesso stile e con segni distinti aiuta a riconoscerlo come probabile imitazione "non firmata" ed a datarlo poco dopo la metà del XIV secolo.
Boletín del Museo Arqueológico Nacional, 2018
Questo articolo è la traduzione in italiano del seguente studio: DE BENETTI M., Un florín de oro ... more Questo articolo è la traduzione in italiano del seguente studio: DE BENETTI M., Un florín de oro de Florencia con marca desconocida en las colecciones del Museo Arqueológico Nacional de Madrid: ¿una posible imitación?, in Boletín del Museo Arqueológico Nacional, 37, 2018, pp. 309-320.
Il Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Madrid conserva nelle sue collezioni un fiorino d'oro apparentemente di Firenze, con un segno sconosciuto. Lo studio della moneta ha permesso di verificare che si tratta di un fiorino di particolare interesse, realizzato con uno stile distinto e con alcuni particolari che pongono seri dubbi sulla sua coniazione nella zecca di Firenze. L'identificazione di altri fiorini dello stesso stile e segni diversi conferma l'ipotesi di una coniazione non ufficiale e permette di datare questo esemplare poco dopo la metà del XIV secolo. The article presents a study of a gold florin, with an unlisted privy mark, preserved in the collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid. Anomalous characteristics of this coin, especially consideration of style, and other details raise suspicions that it was not issued in the mint of Florence and that it may be a deceptive imitation struck after the middle of the 14 th century, together with other pieces that show identical features and different privy marks.
Notiziario della Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana, 2016
Annali dell'Istituto Italiano di Numismatica, 2016
The article presents an unlisted gold florin of Florence, identified as struck near Pisa on May 3... more The article presents an unlisted gold florin of Florence, identified as struck near Pisa on May 30th 1363 by the victorious Florentine armies leaded by Pietro Farnese. In addition to the usual privy mark of the first semester 1363, this florin is characterized by a fox lying on its back positioned under the feet of St. John, symbolizing the defeated Pisans. This florin adds to the known silver grosso with the same symbol, already identified during the 18th century, and confirms evidence brought by registrations of the mint of Florence and sometimes unclear contemporary chronicles. The coin was part of the collection formed by the Italian artist Pelagio Palagi (1775–1860) and it is now preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Bologna.
Notiziario della Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana 10/2014 (2015), pp. 97-104, 2014
A survey carried out in 2014 at the Etruscan/Roman city of Rusellae (Tuscany-Italy) by the Soprin... more A survey carried out in 2014 at the Etruscan/Roman city of Rusellae (Tuscany-Italy) by the Soprintendenza Archeologia della Toscana, made possible to recover several coins. The most interesting specimens are two Etruscan silver pieces of V units, that show a peculiar style and a countermark not previously recorded. Thanks also to their known provenance, they will add new information to the study of Etruscan coinage. It is also interesting to note the recovery of a post semilibral sextans overstruck on a semilibral uncia of the Janus/Prow series, of a rare semis (RRC 76/3) struck in Sicily and a bronze of Colonia Nemausus (Nimes) struck under Augustus.
FACTA: Journal of Late Roman, Medieval and Post-Medieval Material Culture Studies, 2018
L'articolo presenta alcune monete delle zecche di Firenze, Lucca e Siena rinvenute durante indagi... more L'articolo presenta alcune monete delle zecche di Firenze, Lucca e Siena rinvenute durante indagini condotte presso il sito di Caldanelle (Comune di Civitella Paganico - Grosseto) negli anni 2018-2019.
Notiziario della Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana, 9, 2013 (2014), pp. 446-448, 2013
Notiziario della Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana, 9, 2013 (2014), pp. 466-469, 2013
The article describes a group of six Etruscan coins that are part of a large quantity of archaeol... more The article describes a group of six Etruscan coins that are part of a large quantity of archaeological artifacts confiscated in Grosseto (Italy). They all belong to Vetulonia and they were probably discovered with a metal detector in the neighborhood of this Etruscan city. The most interesting piece is a bronze uncia of the series with Female head /Reverse blank. Italo Vecchi describes only 22 known specimens in his recently published corpus about Etruscan Coinage. The other coins are all sextans of the Trident with dolphins series.
published in "Archeologia Viva", n. 156, novembre-dicembre 2012, 2012
La straordinaria scoperta, avvenuta nel 2004, di un olla contenente 498 solidi d’oro di V secolo,... more La straordinaria scoperta, avvenuta nel 2004, di un olla contenente 498 solidi d’oro di V secolo, a Sovana, in provincia di Grosseto, ha acceso l’immaginario collettivo. Si è parlato del tesoro di San Mamiliano, addirittura di Montecristo, ma quali sono le reali connessioni tra dati archeologici, documenti storici e la suggestione suscitata dal ritrovamento? Questo articolo ripercorre la storia della scoperta, con i primi dati emersi dallo studio delle monete curato da Ermanno Arslan, ed infine racconta quali sono le fonti e i documenti che hanno “acceso” la notizia.
FOLD&R Fasti On Line Documents & Research, Nov 18, 2013
The Hellenistic quarter of Poggiarello Renzetti, within the city walls of Vetulonia, was explored... more The Hellenistic quarter of Poggiarello Renzetti, within the city walls of Vetulonia, was explored in the late 19th century by Isidoro Falchi. In this area he recovered a large number of coins with legend “vatl”, now in the collection of the National Archaeological Museum in Florence, that confirmed the attribution to Vetulonia. Unfortunately little information was recorded about their find and the dating of the series is still under discussion. The yearly excavation campaigns undertaken between 1985 and 1990 in this quarter have provided new numismatic data. The excavations brought to light a domus built at the end of the 3rd/beginning of the 2nd century BC and destroyed probably under Sulla. This paper presents the numismatic finds, that consists of a sardo-punic bronze coin, several sextans of Vetulonia and asses and fractions of the Roman Janus/prow series. For the first time specimens of Vetulonia have been recovered in a stratigraphic context, associated to pottery and other materials. The new data support the hypothesis that sextans of the “trident with dolphins” series were probably minted in the last quarter of the 3rd century BC and were still circulating during the 2nd century BC.
In 1868 a hoard with 65 silver coins, ingots and a silver figurine, was found near the walls of V... more In 1868 a hoard with 65 silver coins, ingots and a silver figurine, was found near the walls of Volterra (IGCH 1875). Very soon the coins were dispersed, but in few years 56 pieces were recovered and collected in the Archaeological Museum of Florence. The content, partially known thanks to Gian Francesco Gamurrini, was fully published only in 1976 by Marina Cristofani Martelli. Since then, the discussion about the small and enigmatic coins of the treasure allowed authors to propose different origins for some of the coins (Near East? Etruria? southern France?) and to trace possible trading routes beyond the composition of the hoard. This paper aims to re-examine the Volterra hoard moving from old data and recent discoveries of similar coins from southern France, ultimately tracing possibly different overseas connections.
XVI International Numismatic Congress, Warsaw, 2022
The Florentine gold florin, first minted in 1252, is widely recognized as one of the most importa... more The Florentine gold florin, first minted in 1252, is widely recognized as one of the most important coins of the Medieval West. A new monograph to be published by the Italian Ministry of Culture in the Bollettino di Numismatica sheds new light on this coinage.
XVI International Numismatic Congress Warsaw 2022 Proceedings
XV International Numismatic Congress Taormina 2015 Proceedings Volume I, 2017
Mint activity in Florence is exceptionally well-documented from the beginning of the fourteenth c... more Mint activity in Florence is exceptionally well-documented from the beginning of the fourteenth century until the end of the republican era in 1533, most notably in the so-called Fiorinaio or Libro della Zecca, a register of mint personnel and the privy marks used on the coins. The mint scribe who began the Libro della Zecca and assembled the earlier material going back to 1303 was nevertheless unable to find much information on the mint and its coinage before that time. To narrow down the dating of these early florins, it is necessary to turn to the hoard evidence. The Alberese hoard of seventy-six gold florins, discovered in 1932 near Grosseto-Italy, is exceptionally important because it adds to the small number of known florin hoards that were closed during the coin‘s first half-century (Pisa, Aleppo, Akko, Pavia). In fact, it is the only one completely recovered (most of the coins of other hoards were dispersed in the antiquarian market). Although originally dated to 1347, this new study clearly establishes that the hoard was closed before 1290-95, making it a good sample for the study of gold florins of the period of ―unknown mintmasters. Closer examination of privy marks, epigraphy and style of coins reveals new data. Some privy marks can better be identified with those described in the Libro della Zecca not previously identified and it is possible to propose a possible chronology of different issues. Research on documents of that time has also revealed the possible origins of the hoard.
Le Marche e l’oltre Marche tra l’evo antico e il moderno. Rapporti di varia natura alla luce della documentazione numismatica, a cura di R. Rossi “Atti e Memorie della Deputazione di Storia Patria per le Marche”. 109 (2011, pubbl. 2013), pp. 241-260, 2013
A hoard of 45 silver coins found in Southern Tuscany, during excavation in a quarry located near ... more A hoard of 45 silver coins found in Southern Tuscany, during excavation in a quarry located near Castell’Azzara (Grosseto – Italy.), in a territory that at the beginning of the 17th century was part of the County of Santa Fiora, situated between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and Papal States. The hoard was probably buried in the years between 1635 and the mid of the 17th century, soon after the Medici acquired the County of Santa Fiora from the House of Sforza, in 1633. It contains coins minted in Florence (the oldest coin struck under Cosimo I Duke of Florence, 1537-1557, the latest under Francesco II de’ Medici in 1635), Pesaro, Rome, Ancona and Macerata, showing a mixed circulation of coinage of both states with a prevalence of papal coins.
Material Culture Studies Winter School 2019. University of Queensland and Alberese Material Cultu... more Material Culture Studies Winter School 2019. University of Queensland and Alberese Material Culture Field School
Lecture on Numismatics and coins found during the Alberese Archaeological Project , given at the ... more Lecture on Numismatics and coins found during the Alberese Archaeological Project , given at the Material Culture Studies Winter School at the Department of Archaeology of Siena. The Winter School is organized by the University of Sheffield in partnership with the John Cabot University at Rome. The students attending the course come from the University of Queensland (Australia).
The slides were used for the conference "Maritima Regio" held in Grosseto on December 13th-14th 2... more The slides were used for the conference "Maritima Regio" held in Grosseto on December 13th-14th 2013. This is a preliminary study of the coins found in a tomb recently discovered at Civitella Paganico (Grosseto - Italy), that dates back to the second century B.C. The tomb was intact and during the excavations 32 roman republican coins were found in their original burial position (1 victoriatus, 30 asses of the Janus/Prow series and 1 fraction). The finds show how Etruscan culture and practices, such as burial ceremonies, were still alive after the Roman conquest of the area.
Città etrusca, romana e poi medievale, Roselle, nell’arco di più di cinquanta anni di attività de... more Città etrusca, romana e poi medievale, Roselle, nell’arco di più di cinquanta anni di attività della Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana, ha restituito una grande quantità di materiali. La catalogazione e la pubblicazione di buona parte dei reperti numismatici rende ora possibile ripercorrere la storia di questa città e dei suoi scavi, dalle prime ricerche condotte con criteri scientifici nel 1959 fino al 1991, quando si conclusero le indagini del Comune di Grosseto che hanno messo in luce la chiesa ed il cimitero cristiano. A partire dalle più antiche attestazioni di esemplari di zecche campane ed etrusche (IV-III secolo a.C.), le monete recuperate contribuiscono a delineare i contesti socio-economici nei diversi periodi storici e a ipotizzare movimenti di uomini e scambi di merci. Una parte consistente dei rinvenimenti è pertinente al periodo repubblicano, quando Roselle conobbe un rinnovato sviluppo (II sec. a.C.) successivo alla conquista romana del 294 a.C., e alla prima età imperiale, in concomitanza con la crescita e la monumentalizzazione della città (I sec. d.C.). La presenza di moneta è abbondante per tutta l’età imperiale, con un picco di attestazioni nella seconda metà del III secolo ed una riduzione evidente nel IV secolo, quando in città cessarono nuove attività edilizie. L’assenza di nominali coniati dopo il 388 d.C. rende plausibile l’ipotesi che anche a Roselle si utilizzarono, tra la fine del IV ed il V secolo, emissioni coniate precedentemente. Dopo un vuoto di alcuni secoli, l’evidenza numismatica riappare alla fine dell’VIII secolo, con un denaro di Carlo Magno, e più tardi con esemplari di XI e XII secolo, a ricordare il ruolo avuto da Roselle come sede vescovile fino al 1138, prima di cadere definitivamente in rovina. Il quadro offerto dalle monete recuperate negli scavi della città è integrato da una serie di ritrovamenti dal territorio di Roselle, che permette di tracciare in modo più completo la diffusione e la circolazione della moneta antica in questa parte d’Etruria.
A preliminary report about a hoard found in southern Tuscany that contains coins minted in Ancona... more A preliminary report about a hoard found in southern Tuscany that contains coins minted in Ancona, Pesaro and Macerata during the second half of 16th century.
Rivista Italiana di Numismatica e Scienze Affini, 125 (2024), pp. 296-299, 2024