Yr 11 Ancient History Ancient Coins/Numismatics Intro

1. Ancient Coins

3. ReverseObverse

4. ReverseObverse
Legend: IMP CAES
VESPASIAN AUG PM TR
PPP COS II
Legend: IUDAEA CAPTA
SC

5. ReverseObverse
Legend: Imperator Caesar Vespasian
Augustus Pontifex Maximus (‘High
Priest”) Tribune of People Pater
Patriae (“Father of the Country”)
Consul for a second time
Legend: Judea Captured
Senatus Consulto (“By the
decree of the Senate”)

6. ReverseObverse
Portrait of the
humble Vespasian
Type: Emperor stands over
over weeping woman
sitting under a palm tree

7. Other types of this coin…

8. Field
Rim

9. How ancient coins were made

10. Key Terminology
• Numismatics= the study of coins
• The obverse = the heads side of a coin or the
front. E.g. roman usually displays head of
emperor
• The reverse = the opposite side of the coin to
the obverse, or the tails. E.g. propaganda
images pictured or glorifying and
event/ancestor

11. • Legend = the inscription on the coin (except mint
characters). Usually running around the edge.
Often contains abbreviations.
• Field = the flat or undecorated area which
indicates the mint
• Type = The central design on the reverse which is
generally surrounded by the legend
• Die = one of the two metallic pieces that are used
to strike one side of a coin. A die contains an
inverse version of the image to be struck on the
coin.

12. Why are coins important to
archaeologists & historians?
• Can help date layers
• Provide information about
– Trade
– Economy
– Social organisation & leadership
– Important events/perspectives on events
– Buildings
– Mythology/religion