The use of computed tomography for the study of archaeological coins

X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography for Nondestructive Three-Dimensional (3D) X-ray Histology

“…On completion of a scan, CT reconstruction algorithms are used to derive the X-ray absorption of the sample. 6 The technique was initially developed and optimized to image mineralized bone structures at a microscopic level 7 ; and since then, μCT is used routinely in many fields, including archaeology, 8 , 9 biomedical research, 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 engineering, 18 , 19 materials science, 20 , 21 and paleontology. 22 , 23 In the biomedical field, μCT has been successfully used over the past two decades to image biological tissues ex vivo .…”

Investigation of artefacts retrieved from a shipwreck of Vasco da Gama using X-ray Computed Tomography

“…Miles et al [16] are working with a much larger sample size (a ceramic pot with 201 coins), again resulting in a lower spatial resolution. Despite the higher spatial resolution presented here, Miles et al are able to provide better volume renderings of individual coins likely due to its preserved state largely consisting of soil based deposits as opposed to mineralised concretions as typically observed in excavated marine artefacts.…”

“…It has been used in applications such as evaluating ancient ceramics [11], the sarcophagi of Egyptian mummies [12] and probably the most famous Antikythera mechanism [13]. Notable numismatic XCT studies previously performed using XCT include evaluation of a selection of the Diniacopoulos collection [14], the conservation of a marine corroded hemiobolus coin [15] and an encased pot of Roman coins [16]. Archaeological samples are often embedded in hardened debris visually obscuring fine (or all) details of the artefact, to which non-invasive internal examination by XCT is particularly suited.…”

Nano‐CT evaluation of totally corroded coins: A demonstration study to determine if detail might still be discernible despite the lack of internal, non‐corroded, metal

“…At the other end of the spectrum, the custom‐built, sophisticated unit available to Miles et al . (2016) can scan items up to 2 m tall by 1 m in diameter and weighing up to 100 kg. For our scanner, an object of maximum size would need to be substantially less dense than a copper coin to be successfully scanned.…”

“…In a larger and better delineated study, Miles et al . (2016) micro‐CT scanned an in situ hoard of Roman silver denarii still resident within its original burial pot, obtaining sufficient resolution to segregate the coins individually and identify approximately 50% of them.…”