CALL FOR PAPERS - Putting survival ratios of ancient coinages into perspective (original) (raw)
Related papers
Calculating Ancient Coin Production: Seeking a Balance
1995
This paper is a reply to the by far too pessimistic view about numismatic quantification offered by T.V. Buttrey in a recent issue of the NC. It deals with extrapolation by hoard (master hoard of M.H. Crawford; Garonne hoard; cistophori from Pergamum, Ephesus, Tralles, etc.), the original number of obverse dies, number of coins struck per die (discussing the Delphic evidence put in broad perspective with Middle Ages and Modern times, but also favorable cirumstances of short reigns or precisely dated issues - Mithridates Eupator, Crepusius, joint reign of Justin and Justinian), attrition rate, and evoking the fortunes of Roman Republican Coinage.
An almost complete die study of the bronze coins of Herod the Great (reigned in Judea, 40[37] -4 BCE), opens a window on the operation of his mint. Herod was one of Rome's most important and loyal client-kings. Precisely because of the interest in him as a historical fi gure, and a builder, a great deal has been written on his coinage.* Most of Herod's coinage, however, is particularly unimpressive. Herod's bronze coins continue the earlier Hasmonean tradition of refraining from the otherwise common use of living or mythical depictions. Herod minted 17 different coin-types, four belonging to a denominational series dated to his third year (LΓ) most probably 37 BCE. The remainder of the types are undated. Symbols include the helmet; tripod; shield; winged caduceus; pomegranate or poppy; aphlaston; three-legged table; cross or saltire within diadem; fi lleted, single, or crossed palm-branches; inscription within wreath; anchor; single or double cornucopias; eagle; vine-branch; and galley. The legends on these coins are monotonic. Only Herod's name and title appear: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΗΡΩΔΟΥ. 1 The fact that most of Herod's coins are undated is an impediment to the establishment of a chronology of his coins. Even a relative ordering of the types would be helpful. Our die study has provided much new information about the series, with die connections determining which coin groups should be identifi ed as types and which as merely variations within types. We were also able to identify the technological obverse and reverse dies by determining which side of each type had fewer dies and which had more.
2020
Review of Stefan Krmnicek, Jérémie Chameroy, Money matters: coin finds and ancient coin use. Bonn: Habelt Verlag, 2019. Pp. vi, 272. ISBN9783774941755 €69,00.