Numismatics

Definition

Numismatics the study of coinage, and is a wonderfully useful tool in the archaeologist's and historian's toolbox. One of the best things for an archaeologist to find while digging is a coin. The reason is simple; it can instantly provide some date for the layer they are digging. Additionally, coins provide information for trade, economy, social organisation, mythology, ideologies, personages, leadership, military, important events, and the list goes on.

More about: Numismatics

Timeline

  • c. 635 BCE - 585 BCE
    Reign of Alyattes of Lydia. Minting of first coins made from electrum.
  • 600 BCE - 550 BCE
    The silver stater coin of Calymna in Caria depicts a tortoise shell lyre on its reverse side.
  • c. 550 BCE
    The silver drachma of Delos depicts a lyre - symbolic of Apollo - on its reverse side.
  • c. 360 BCE
    Pan appears on the reverse of coins of the Arcadian League.
  • 326 BCE
    The first Roman coins are minted at Neapolis.
  • c. 211 BCE
    A new system of Roman coinage is introduced which includes the silver denarius.
  • c. 200 BCE
    Rome now dominates the production of coinage in Italy.
  • c. 157 BCE
    There is a boom in the production of Roman silver coinage, in part thanks to the acquisition of silver mines in Macedonia.
  • c. 141 BCE
    The Roman bronze as coin is devalued so that now 16 as equal one silver denarius.
  • c. 135 BCE
    The Roman magistrates responsible for coinage begin to stamp coins with images of landmarks, events and personalities.
  • c. 100 BCE
    Coins of Kos and Thespiai depict a lyre on their reverse side.
  • c. 46 BCE
    Julius Caesar mints the largest quantity of gold coins ever seen in Rome.
  • c. 23 BCE
    The brass orichalcum sestertius is first minted in Rome.
  • 16 BCE
    The Roman mint at Lugdunum is established.
  • 64 CE
    Nero reduces the weight and percentage of precious metal in Roman coins, a trend continued by several subsequent Roman emperors.
  • 293 CE
    Diocletian reforms the Roman coinage system, guaranteeing the gold aurei at 60 to a pound and minting the nummus coin.
  • 301 CE
    Diocletian reasseses the values of Roman coins and limits minting rights to between 12 and 15 mints across the empire.
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