Identification of microstructure and chemical composition of a silver object from Shahrak-e Firouzeh, Nishapur, Iran (~2nd millennium BC)

Tayyari, Javad; Emami, Mohammadamin; Agha-Aligol, Davoud

doi:10.1016/j.surfin.2021.101168

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…However, the quantity of gold in group 1 can also be considered as impurities or as a gangue element of the primary ore, because in ancient times it could not be easily removed from main component [16]. Although, it is expected to identify gold at trace amounts within the composition of historical silver objects, it could also likely be used to determine the ores used to prepare metallic silver [17]. Moreover, gold is a noble metal and is not removed during the smelting or cupellation process, meaning that it can be used as a fingerprint for ore mining [18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compositional Study of Silver Coins of Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, a Sultan of Bengal (14th Century Ce) Using Edxrf

Nuri

Akter²

2022

Egyptian Journal of Archaeological and Restoration Studies

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In numismatics, coins are considered as a reflection of the economy and culture of a nation or civilization. Relative proportion of major/minor elements in coins provides valuable information on changes in monetary theory, economic conditions, material technologies, political aspect, religion, cultural heritage and art of minting at the time. Ten silver coins issued by Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, a ruler of the Bengal Sultanate, were selected from the collection of Bangladesh National Museum and analyzed using EDXRF for elemental composition and comparative study. Shamsuddin Iliyas Shah ascended the throne about the end of the year 1342 CE (743 Hijri) and had a reign of 16 years and some months. The main element, silver was estimated along with trace elements copper and gold. Silver was found in all coins and varied between 97% and 99% indicating the better economic condition of the regime of Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah. Moreover, copper was deliberately added to silver during coin fabrication for hardening purposes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compositional Study of Silver Coins of Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, a Sultan of Bengal (14th Century Ce) Using Edxrf

Nuri

Akter²

2022

Egyptian Journal of Archaeological and Restoration Studies

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“…Copper was a main alloying element in ancient silver coins. Ancient silver objects, including coins, are commonly available as silver–copper alloys with various ratios of silver and copper [ 17 ]. The addition of more than 3 wt% Cu to silver was frequently made to improve the mechanical properties of silver objects and also act as a melting-point depressant.…”

Section: Technological Background To Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeometallurgical Analysis of the Provincial Silver Coinage of Judah: More on the Chaîne Opératoire of the Minting Process

Cohen

Ashkenazi

Gitler³

et al. 2023

Materials

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Silver coins were the first coins to be manufactured by mass production in the southern Levant. An assemblage of tiny provincial silver coins of the local (Judahite standard) and (Attic) obol-based denominations from the Persian and Hellenistic period Yehud and dated to the second half of the fourth century BCE were analyzed to determine their material composition. Of the 50 silver coins, 32 are defined as Type 5 (Athena/Owl) of the Persian period Yehud series (ca. 350–333 BCE); 9 are Type 16 (Persian king wearing a jagged crown/Falcon in flight) (ca. 350–333); 3 are Type 24 series (Portrait/Falcon) of the Macedonian period (ca. 333–306 BCE); and 6 are Type 31 (Portrait/Falcon) (ca. 306–302/1 BCE). The coins underwent visual testing, multi-focal light microscope observation, XRF analysis, and SEM-EDS analysis. The metallurgical findings revealed that all the coins from the Type 5, 16, 24, and 31 series are made of high-purity silver with a small percentage of copper. Based on these results, it is suggested that each series was manufactured using a controlled composition of silver–copper alloy. The findings present novel information about the material culture of the southern Levant during the Late Persian period and Macedonian period, as expressed through the production and use of these silver coins.

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“…Some powerful non-destructive methods are required in our case. XRD is a method that reveals the phase composition of alloy samples giving a proper qualitative characterization and allowing for a semi-quantitative analysis of the composition of binary systems [ 21 , 22 ]. It is often coupled with the SEM-EDS elemental investigation method due to the high precision of the elemental quantification related to the high-resolution imaging of the investigated site [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silver Depreciation in 3-Polker Coins Issued during 1619–1627 by Sigismund III Vasa King of Poland

Petean

Paltinean

Pripon³

et al. 2022

Materials

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The present research is focused on the 3-Polker coins issued during 1619–1627 by Sigismund III Vasa, King of Poland. A major financial crisis took place at that time due to the 30-year War, which started in 1619. There are two theories among historians concerning the silver depreciation of these coins. The most common theory (generally accepted without proof) is that the later years of issue are depreciated below 60% Ag. The second theory is based on the medieval sources that indicate inflation during the years from 1621–1625, but the medieval source only refers to the inflation of the type of coins and does not mention the issuer. Therefore, in this study, we use modern investigation techniques and materials science methods to help historians elucidate the aforementioned aspects regarding the medieval period. The XRD investigation results are in good agreement with the SEM-EDX elemental analysis. The coins from 1619 and 1620 have high silver content, namely, 86.97% and 92.49%, which corresponds to good silver. The amount of Ag found in the coins from 1621–1625 issituated in the range of 63.2–74.6%. The silver titleis suddenly restored in 1626 at about 84.3% and is kept in a good range until the end of this decree under Sigismund III in 1627. In conclusion, the second theory was partly validated by our experimental results, certifying the currency depreciation during 1621–1625, but the silver title was not lower than 54.2%. Notably, even this depreciated silver title assures a good quality of the 3-Polker coins compared to similar coins issued in other countries that were copper–silver-plated. Therefore, the 3-Polker coins were preferably hoarded at that time.Small alterations in the mint mark’s design were observed in all the depreciated coins compared to the good ones. This might be a sign for an expert to identify the depreciated coins, a fact which requires supplementary investigations. The silver title’s restoration in 1626 also came with a complete change of the mintmark.

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Identification of microstructure and chemical composition of a silver object from Shahrak-e Firouzeh, Nishapur, Iran (~2nd millennium BC)

Cited by 5 publications

References 46 publications

Compositional Study of Silver Coins of Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, a Sultan of Bengal (14th Century Ce) Using Edxrf

Compositional Study of Silver Coins of Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, a Sultan of Bengal (14th Century Ce) Using Edxrf

Archaeometallurgical Analysis of the Provincial Silver Coinage of Judah: More on the Chaîne Opératoire of the Minting Process

Silver Depreciation in 3-Polker Coins Issued during 1619–1627 by Sigismund III Vasa King of Poland

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