An economy in chaos? Analysis of Roman silver coins, Nero to Septimius Severus

Lead Research Organisation: University of Liverpool
Department Name: Archaeology Classics and Egyptology

Abstract

To improve our understanding of the Roman monetary economy during the crucial years from the death of Nero to the reign of Severus, through the employment of scientific techniques. These will investigate the chemical composition of Roman silver coinage (AD 68-194); establishing the precise silver contents used and through these, study the relationships between the Roman and the various Provincial coinages. Minting and metal procurement strategies will also be investigated through trace element and lead isotope analysis.

Publications

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Butcher (2015) The Metallurgy of Roman Silver Coinage: From the Reform of Nero to the Reform of Trajan

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Butcher K (2013) The Silver Coinage of Roman Syria Under the Julio-Claudian Emperors in Levant

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Butcher K (2012) The beginning of the end? the denarius in the second century in Numismatic Chronicle

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Ponting M (2009) Quantifying the Roman Economy - Methods and Problems