Ancient Italian Numismatics

Horsnæs, Helle; Farney, Gary D.; Bradley, Guy

doi:10.1515/9781614513001-004

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Of particular relevance to this study is the widespread striking of gold Roman-style coins in the third and fourth centuries that occurred frequently beyond the empire in eastern Europe, mainly in the area of modern Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Such ‘barbarous’ coins are generally easy to recognize because they usually lack the deep-relief and high standard of engraving of official issues, the lettering is often poorly executed or meaningless, and many seem to have been intended for use as ornaments with punch holes rather than as currency [ 5 , 62 , 63 ]. The early numismatists classified the Sponsian assemblage as part of this group [ 12 , 13 , 18 , 23 , 24 , 26 – 29 , 64 ] but no other such coins are known to have been cast, and in contrast to the Sponsian group, all known ‘barbarous’ gold imitations are in the weight range of regular aurei, rarely exceeding 6 g [ 62 , 63 ].…”

Section: Synthesis and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Authenticating coins of the ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian is known only from an assemblage of coins allegedly found in Transylvania (Romania) in 1713. They are very unlike regular Roman coins in style and manufacture, with various enigmatic features including bungled legends and historically mixed motifs, and have long been dismissed as poorly made forgeries. Here we present non-destructive imaging and spectroscopic results that show features indicative of authenticity. Deep micro-abrasion patterns suggest extensive circulation-wear. Superficial patches of soil minerals bound by authigenic cement and overlain by oxidation products indicate a history of prolonged burial then exhumation. These observations force a re-evaluation of Sponsian as a historical personage. Combining evidence from the coins with the historical record, we suggest he was most likely an army commander in the isolated Roman Province of Dacia during the military crisis of the 260s CE, and that his crudely manufactured coins supported a functioning monetary economy that persisted locally for an appreciable period.

show abstract

Section: Synthesis and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%