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: definition of “numismatics”
and “coin”; origins of coin collections; development of numismatics; 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 of coins as documents.
COURSE CONTENT
A. The many sides of a coin (20 hours)
By studying sample cases, the aim of the course is to outline the various possible
ways of reading coins as documents. Ancient coins can indeed provide scholars
with a vast array of economic-historical/aetiological, artistic and cultural
information.
1. Coins as economic documents:
– Economics and coins in Carnuntum.
– Economics and coins in villages in the late-Roman age in Neerharen-Rekem
(Limburg, Belgium).
2. Coins as historical documents:
– Currency named after Cleopatra Thea of Syria (164 B.C. - 121 A.D. circa).
– Currency in the kingdom of Numidia (end of III B.C.-46 A.D.).
3. Coins as artistic documents:
– The type of Spes on Imperial Roman currency (I-III centuries A.D.).
– Portraits on coins: the phenomenon of likeness.
4. Coins as artistic documents:
– Talisman coins and amulet coins in the Roman world.
– The re-usage of coins in Roman jewellery.
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: drawing up a chart about a coin.
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.