A combined experimental approach to the study of ancient coins and its application the Venetian “sesino”

Martorelli, D.; Bortolotti, Mauro; Capris, M.; Lutterotti, Luca; Maines, L.; Pepponi, G.; Gialanella, Stefano

doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2019.06.010

Cited by 2 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…An estimation of the chemical composition of the bulk alloy in each sample was obtained by means of XRF data analysed through the MAUD software by using a simplified single‐phase bulk model and considering the three main elements of the alloys, namely copper, silver, and lead. These three elements are paramount to characterize the evolution of the composition of the mistura alloy over the years during which the sesino coins were minted and circulated, as demonstrated already in a former investigation of similar samples . In Figure the XRF spectrum for the S25 specimen is shown, and in Table , the complete set of normalized concentration for Cu, Ag, and Pb for all the coins considered in the present study are listed.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to metallic copper (the main component of the coin), also copper oxide, Cu 2 O (cuprite), was found in all samples, localized in the surface patina, which appears in brown colour in all analysed coins (the so called “noble patina”). The presence of cuprite, confirming the results obtained in Martorelli et al with similar coins, was to be expected, even considering the typical conditions faced in the burial environment, on this copper‐rich alloy. Other two phases were found in silver containing coins: silver, of course, and silver chloride, that is, chlorargyrite (AgCl).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The correct, reliable evaluation of the phase composition of the coin surface region would require considering its layered structure, as directly observed with cross sectional microscopy investigations on other sesino coins in . Still, an intrinsic limitation to this approach relies in the lack of uniform thickness and layer sequence, owing to complex reactions occurred at the coin surface.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…X‐ray wavelength restricted the diffracting volume to the outer surface layer, so that the phases which formed from the interaction of the bulk alloy with the external environment during the burial time were the majority phases in the relevant diffraction pattern, in addition to minor contributions from the bulk alloy. The reliability of the approach, coherent with the results discussed in the following, has been confirmed by a companion study, carried out on a couple of certified sesino coins, that were acquired on the numismatic international market and analysed both with planar and cross‐sectional tests . The presence of alteration reaction and interdiffusion layers on the outer surface of each coin were confirmed by direct observations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…The complex structure of the surface layers of the coins has been investigated directly with cross sectional observations conducted on a few samples of sesino coins acquired on the numismatic international market. The results of the research, interesting also for other aspects of the present investigation, can be found in Martorelli et al…”

Section: The Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of the mistura alloy used for Venetian sesino coins: 16th century

et al. 2018

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The information provided by material investigations on ancient coins is interesting in many respects, as concerns the archaeological and historical research.In this study a set of Venetian sesino coins, minted over a period ranging from 1554 until 1605, have been investigated in order to shed light on some aspects of the so-called mistura (mixture) alloy. The widespread diffusion of these relatively low-value coins of the Venetian Republic, commonly used in commercial transactions in the second half of 16th century, also outside the territories of the Republic, makes them an important proxy to be used in the reconstruction of the political and historical events of the period. The specific issue of the actual composition of the mistura alloy is herewith addressed for the first time, using a combined approach based on X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction nondestructively applied to the analysis of the samples. It turns out that the mistura alloy, traditionally regarded as a Cu-Ag two phase alloy, over the latest period of circulation of the sesino coins, was actually made of copper only, still containing minor concentrations of lead, to be regarded as an impurity of the alloy and not as an intentional addition.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%