DOI issue:
Artikuły / Articles
DOI article:Faucher, Thomas: Coin minting techniques in Ptolemaic Egypt: observe, analyze, recreate
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43282#0075
COIN MINTING TECHNIQUES...
found in Paphos, blanks have been found in French excavations in Alexandria;
a chapelet of blanks has also been found in the diggings inside the Karnak tempie
in Luxor. A closer look at the copper alloy coins struck by the Ptolemies show
that five different techniques were used during the period. The coins struck at
the beginning of the period [series 01 and the beginning of series 02 (c. 315 - c. 285)]
are concave and have edges with a rounded shape. At the same time, some bronze
coins seem to have been produced in the same way that precious metal coins were
produced, because they show the same traces on their edges (Fig. 2). The second
part of series 02 (c. 285-261) shows a shift towards bigger coins, ones that are
also flatter, with beveled edges, a sign indicating that a two-piece mold was used.
The majority of the coins struck after series 03 (except those from series 10) bear
two small cavities, one on each side, at the center of the coin. Besides having beveled
edges, the vast majority of these coins show traces of runners that have been cut
and filed on opposite sides on the edges. During the second part of the Ptolemaic
period (after series 6, at the beginning of the second Century), some coins show
signs of low quality, much like coins produced by the third technique but of even
lower quality. Sometimes, visible chunks of lead can be detected inside the coin,
but cracked edges and smoother surfaces are also visible. It is very likely that these
coins are counterfeits - manufactured in clay molds using the lost-wax technique
- of coins then in circulation.
Blanks from rod bars
The first technique that was used to produce Ptolemaic coin blanks is also
the oldest process that was used to create copper alloy blanks in the Greek world.
A long bar of bronze, with a diameter slightly smaller than the size of the coin to be
produced, was cut in small discs with tongues and a chisel. Some blanks which came
from rods have been found during excavation of the “Radio” site in Alexandria.12
Other examples have been found around the Mediterranean Sea: in Thasos, where
different elements from each step in the process have been unearthed in the city,13
but also in Pella and Argos.14 The technique is simple. By cutting bars of metal,
moneyers produced small round discs, which they then flattened by hammering.
This technique usually produces rounded flans which are rather thick and which -
due to the different phases of annealing and hammering (see below) - are usually
quite dark in color.
PICARD and FAUCHER 2012: 24.
PICARD 2016; FAUCHER 2013: 184.
HACKENS and KONSOLAKI 1980.
found in Paphos, blanks have been found in French excavations in Alexandria;
a chapelet of blanks has also been found in the diggings inside the Karnak tempie
in Luxor. A closer look at the copper alloy coins struck by the Ptolemies show
that five different techniques were used during the period. The coins struck at
the beginning of the period [series 01 and the beginning of series 02 (c. 315 - c. 285)]
are concave and have edges with a rounded shape. At the same time, some bronze
coins seem to have been produced in the same way that precious metal coins were
produced, because they show the same traces on their edges (Fig. 2). The second
part of series 02 (c. 285-261) shows a shift towards bigger coins, ones that are
also flatter, with beveled edges, a sign indicating that a two-piece mold was used.
The majority of the coins struck after series 03 (except those from series 10) bear
two small cavities, one on each side, at the center of the coin. Besides having beveled
edges, the vast majority of these coins show traces of runners that have been cut
and filed on opposite sides on the edges. During the second part of the Ptolemaic
period (after series 6, at the beginning of the second Century), some coins show
signs of low quality, much like coins produced by the third technique but of even
lower quality. Sometimes, visible chunks of lead can be detected inside the coin,
but cracked edges and smoother surfaces are also visible. It is very likely that these
coins are counterfeits - manufactured in clay molds using the lost-wax technique
- of coins then in circulation.
Blanks from rod bars
The first technique that was used to produce Ptolemaic coin blanks is also
the oldest process that was used to create copper alloy blanks in the Greek world.
A long bar of bronze, with a diameter slightly smaller than the size of the coin to be
produced, was cut in small discs with tongues and a chisel. Some blanks which came
from rods have been found during excavation of the “Radio” site in Alexandria.12
Other examples have been found around the Mediterranean Sea: in Thasos, where
different elements from each step in the process have been unearthed in the city,13
but also in Pella and Argos.14 The technique is simple. By cutting bars of metal,
moneyers produced small round discs, which they then flattened by hammering.
This technique usually produces rounded flans which are rather thick and which -
due to the different phases of annealing and hammering (see below) - are usually
quite dark in color.
PICARD and FAUCHER 2012: 24.
PICARD 2016; FAUCHER 2013: 184.
HACKENS and KONSOLAKI 1980.