Metrological and metallurgical data from Roman aurei, 45 BC to AD 69

Book section : Chapter

Two data sets are explored in this piece. The first is the weights of gold coins from hoards deposited between 50 BC and AD 64. The second is the metallurgical data from coins issued between 46 BC and AD 76 held by the Ashmolean museum. In short, the hoard data can not only inform us of changes to the aureus weight standard and periods of withdrawal, but it can also elucidate concepts of trust in the Roman world. When the aureus is introduced, hoarders almost immediately begin using it as a store wealth and continue to do so despite regular changes to the weight of the coin in this period. X‑ray fluorescence analyses show that the aureus was effectively full purity across this period, only dropping in AD 69 during the civil wars. The aureus is characterised by metallurgical stability in this period, and this consistently high purity most probably helped to reinforce trust in the gold coinage.

Authors: Green, G

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Ausonius
• Host title: AVREVS. Le Pouvoir de l'or / The Power of Gold
• Pages: 481-498
• Series: Scripta Antiqua
• Series number: 171
• Place of publication: Bordeaux, France
• Publication date: 2023-10-10
• ISSN: 1298-1990
• ISBN: 9782356135780
• Language: English
• Keywords: Roman; gold; trust; XRF; metallurgy; weights
• Subtype: Chapter