Numismatics
PROF. CLAUDIA PERASSI
MODULE I
COURSE AIMS
The course intends to outline the history of ancient Greek and Latin numismatics
and to explain the methodology of numismatics research.
One hour a week is dedicated to the analysis and study of Roman coins using the
coins from the University collection.
COURSE CONTENT
1. Outline of Ancient Greek and Roman Numismatics (22 hours)
The course will examine the following matters: origins of coin collections;
development of numismatics; definition of coin; problems with dating ancient
coins; study of storage rooms; ancient coin manufacturing techniques (melting
and minting; the pre–monetary phase in ancient Greece; introduction of coins in
the western world; outlook on Greek mintage; Athens mintage; the pre–
monetary phase in ancient Rome; Roman mintage during the republican period;
Roman mintage during the Imperial period.
2. Analysis of Roman coins and study of relevant aspects of numismatics, history,
art and antiquity (8 hours).
READING LIST
The reading list will be indicated in class.
TEACHING METHOD
Classroom lectures; guided workshops.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
Oral examination.
NOTES
Module 1 is only for (first-level and second-level) students, who have never taken a
course in Numismatics. Students are stongly advised to attend lectures. Students wo are
genuinely unable to attend lectures (or only part B of the course) must contact the lecturer in
due time at the beginning of the academic year.
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG, or on the Faculty notice
board.
MODULE II
COURSE AIMS
The aim of the course is to illustrate the method of numismatic research and
classifying old coins.
COURSE CONTENT
A. When coins write history (20 hours)
Based on a number of sample cases, the aim of the course is to illustrate how
ancient coinage can provide historical documentation.
First and foremost, Alexander Magno’s and Sextus Pompey’s coinages will be
presented to students, focusing on the information provided by the images and
writing on the coins in terms of their relations with other documentary sources.
Further examples will refer to cases where coins play a key role in
reconstructing contemporary history in the absence of very much further
information from other types of sources. Students will also study coinage
named after the Seleucid queen, Cleopatra Thea, and the Nabataean sovereigns,
Zenobia and her son Vaballathus. Lastly, the course will examine the coinage
of Ulpia Severina, the wife of Emperor Aurelian: it will, in fact, allow an
alternative reconstruction of events following her husband’s death compared to
that documented in written sources.
B Method of classifying and studying old coins (10 hours)
Study will be carried out on a seminar basis on Roman coins from the
Università Cattolica Collection and specimens found during archaeological
digs.
READING LIST
The reading list will be given during the course.
TEACHING METHOD
Lectures; supervised practical work.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
Oral examination.
NOTES
Module 2 is only for (first-level and second-level) students who have already attended a
basic Numismatics course. Students are strongly advised to attend lectures. Students wo are
genuinely unable to attend lectures (or only part B of the course) must contact the lecturer in
due time at the beginning of the academic year.
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG, or on the Faculty notice
board.