Ancient numismatics and collecting Single channel

Chair (Coordinator) and Rapporteur: ANNALISA POLOSA

Lecturers

Objectives

The course aims to provide knowledge and comprehension skills that will enable the student to deal critically with the study of the ancient economy, the monetary history of the Mediterranean in Greek and Roman times, coins in their contexts and the ways in which they have come down to us through the formation of collections.
As the course unfolds, the student will be provided with the tools to critically address issues of numismatic heritage management, valorization and communication in European and international contexts.

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide knowledge and understanding that will enable students to critically approach the study of ancient economics, the monetary history of the Mediterranean in Greek and Roman times, coins in their contexts, and the ways in which they have come down to us through the formation of collections.
During the course, students will be provided with the tools to critically address the issues of management, valorization, and communication of numismatic heritage in Europe and internationally.

Prerequisites

no prerequisite required

Programme

Introduction to ancient numismatics and coin collecting; methods and tools; history of coinage in the Greek and Roman world; production techniques; recording coins; tools for protection of numismatic heritage; tools for managing and enhancing numismatic heritage

Books

1 handbook to be chosen between:

R. Cantilena, La moneta in Grecia e a Roma. Appunti di Numismatica antica, Bologna (Monduzzi) 2008.

F. Barello, Archeologia della moneta. Produzione e utilizzo nell'antichità, Roma (Carocci) 2006).

Bibliography

Further reading related with case studies or students’ individual projects will be provided during the course.

On legal tools for protecting the numismatic heritage:

Sorda S. (ed.), La storia mutilata. La dispersione dei rinvenimenti monetali in Italia, Atti dell’Incontro di Studio, Roma, Istituto Italiano di Numismatica 1997, Roma 1999.

Facchinetti G. – Muscolino F. – Pennestrì S. (edd.), L’eredità salvata. Realtà e prospettive a confronto per la tutela, la fruizione ed il collezionismo dei beni numismatici di interesse archeologico, Atti dell’Incontro di Studi, Milano 2013, Notiziario del Portale Numismatico dello Stato 5, 2014.

Lessons mode

Lectures and seminars

Frequency

Lessons are available on the platform. Online seminars will be arranged with students for discussion on specific topics.

Exam mode

Assessment takes place at the end of the course through a seminar discussion on topics agreed upon with the teacher, and through a final oral exam designed to verify the student's acquisition of knowledge in the field of economic and monetary history of the ancient world.

Example exam questions

When and where was coinage introduced in the Greek world; the structure of Athenian coinage; the chronology and organization of the Roman monetary system; recognition of coins examined during the lessons; main legal tools for preserving numismatic heritage.

Arguments

  • Introduction to ancient numismatics

  • Methods and tools

  • History of coins: metal, weight, image

  • Production techniques

  • Die sequences and production's quantification

  • Recording coins

  • Coins in the Greek world

  • Coins in the Roman world

  • Coins and economy: coin circulation

  • Coin collecting: transfer and dispersion of the numismatic heritage

  • Protection of numismatic heritage

  • fruition of numismatic heritage

Sustainability goals

  • Goal4
  • Goal5
  • Goal16
  • Academic year2026/2027
  • Degree program to which the course belongsLaw, administration and management of Cultural Heritage - delivered predominantly via distance learning
  • Lesson code10615997
  • Year and semester2nd year - 2nd semester
  • Activity typeAttività formative affini ed integrative
  • Academic areaAttività formative affini o integrative
  • SSDL-ANT/04
  • Mandatory presenceNo
  • Languageita
  • CFU9 CFU
  • Total duration54 hours
  • Hours distribution12 classroom hours, 24 asyncclassroom hours, 18 interactiveclassroom hours