Silver has been an important currency metal for much of history, with the value of a coin usually proportional to the amount of silver within the metal alloy. However, even though strict standards existed during different periods and in different places, the amount of silver present in coins may vary significantly. For example, reducing the amount of silver included when making the coins, or debasement, was one possibility to “make” more money. This was common practice in times of war allowing soldiers to be paid and supplies purchased, but has also been attributed to inflation, trade, and a lack of raw materials needed to produce the coins. Therefore, knowing the precise composition of a coin allows them to be dated, and offers interesting insights into the political situation at the time of manufacture.
Analysis of modern alloys is all but routine. However, historic alloys such as silver coins present several analytical challenges. Commonly composed of materials or mixtures uncommon in modern alloys, ancient alloys typically require additional validation of the quantification routine by using appropriate certified reference materials. In addition, the modification or degradation of the coins during the passage of time means the sample itself represents its own challenge, such as the formation of patinas covering the true alloy hampering an accurate compositional characterization.
Studying a Roman Silver Denarius
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