M. Amandry, A. Burnett, I. Carradice, P.P. Ripollès, M. Spoerri Butcher, Roman Provincial Coinage, Supplement 3 (original) (raw)
The Significance of Roman Imperial Coin Types, Klio 2009
Did Roman Imperial coin types have significant news or propaganda content, or were they generic? This article (focussing on the coinage of Trajan) argues that this depends on what part of the coinage is considered. The gold and bronze coins had substantial news content, but the silver coinage generally did not. This situation arose because two factors, sometimes conflicting, governed the choice of coin types in Trajan’s mint: first, the desire to select topical images; second, the need to maintain uninterrupted the mass-production of coins. As a result, the lower-volume portions of the coinage were adorned with more up-to-date types, and these were changed often; the higher-volume coinage on the other hand – – especially the silver denarii – – tended to employ generic and outdated types.
AN APPRAISAL OF THE NEWLY FOUND ROMAN IMPERIAL COIN OF OCTAVIAN AUGUSTUS
We report an unreported Roman Imperial silver trade coin of Octavian Augustus without legend on the obverse side, found somewhere in Tamil Nadu, India. The literary comparison is done with existing catalogs and books to establish the narrative that, this unreported coin has no legend on the obverse.
Review of Caza, Shawn M. 2021. A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 – 395
2022
This book is a welcome addition to the literature of late Roman bronze coins. It is not a catalog, per se, yet can be used for coin identification quite easily. Many references focus on identifying coins based on the emperor involved. This is fine if one can read the legends or recognize the portraits, but becomes much more difficult when portraits become less specific and legends are barely readable. The focus here is on reverse types and I find that useful. Specifically, if one is unsure about the emperor, you can identify the potential reverse types the coin represents. With one or more reverse types to examine, this book identifies the emperors who issued such reverses, as well as mints and legend variations. This helps one narrow down potential specific coins and, combined with the examination of the obverses, aides significantly in identifying them and speeds up the process. In addition, this book will be of use and appreciated by novices and specialists alike as it covers the basics as well as specialized details that are backed up by in-line footnotes at the bottom of each relevant page. I always find this more useful than the 'Notes' collections in an appendix many books have. Footnotes are plentiful and on each page. This is particularly helpful when the author disagrees with previous scholarship. The book consists of a very short Introduction followed by a detailed introductory chapter. Then, there are eight chapters based on logical time divisions. At the end, there is an extensive bibliography and index of reverse legends that is indispensable. What is missing is a general index. An emperor index would have been useful, as well. On a physical basis, the book is hardback with a glossy color cover, no dust jacket. It is attractive and comes in at 345 pages and the reverse types are illustrated with quality photographs. The short initial Introduction covers suggestions for using the book, a description of the format used for each reverse type, and a short glossary of terms that is useful, but more terms could have been included. The extensive 'An Introduction to Late Roman Bronze Coinage' Chapter One is a treasure trove of information about the coins in general. For example, the life cycle of Roman coins and how they were minted is covered, from various flan production methods to striking. Mints (and years each was active) and mint organization and structure, mint and other marks, as well as series, issues and emissions are outlined. One thing not always seen in coin references are discussions of how the coins were originally distributed and circulated. That is covered here, as is how coins were 'lost' and came down to us over the centuries. The author's summary of the effects of losses to circulation, such as burial, on the coins as we see them today is informative. There is a useful section on weights and sizes and on fineness standards and metallic content. I find these sections suitable for collectors at all levels that reinforces my notion that this book is for everyone.
Early World Coins - 2015 Revision of the Anglo-Saxon Metrology Section
Clarification of the Anglo-Saxon metrological facts in the recent Naismith book has prompted me to shift position on the chronology of the English Troy/Tower system. I still believe this derives from Islam, probably via the agency of Jewish traders travelling west. However - the crucial event I have now moved back in time - in line with Skinner - to the specific reform of the coinage by Offa in 792/3. Once that mental adjustment is made, it immediately becomes apparent that Offa’s major reform closely coincided with that of Charlemagne’s major reform of 793/4. And that both of them follow closely on from Charlemagne’s general statement of intent in his Admonito Generalis of 789. Thus we have not two events, but really just one, albeit a rather complex one. I still support Grierson’s interpretation of Charlemagne’s standard, but I have added further chronological material to strengthen it, and to extended its probable links to both Russian and Ottoman traditions.
MA Dissertation - Why do Roman Coins Vary So Much from 133-31BCE
The growth of the Roman Republic was changed massively in 133 when the borders of empire reached over the Aegean for the first time entering an economic world of Coins that had been strong and vibrant for two centuries. At the same time there was a marked change in the appearance of Roman coinage, this essay looks at the reason for this.
Notae Numismaticae, 2022