Numismatics and the Archaeology of Money
ARHA 293
Spring 2025
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
ARCP 293 |
In many parts of the world, lost coins numbering in the millions lie buried in the ground. Periodically, some of these coins come to light in the course of plowing, digging to repair a water main, or prospecting with metal detectors. These "treasure-trove" finds--also known as coin hoards--provide the archaeologist of money with rich evidence of how money was actually used in pre-modern times. Which coins occur together in a hoard, the numbers in which they occur, and the spatial patterning of their findspots: all speak volumes about pre-modern economies, circulation patterns, and beliefs about money and value.
In this hands-on course, we explore the evidence of coins and coin hoards, studying them from numismatic perspectives (the images and legends on a given coin type, metals used, weights, fabric), metrological and denominational perspectives (what coins reveal about systems of weights and denominational structures), and statistical approaches (for example, studying patterns of weight loss as indicators of the velocity of circulation and degree of monetization in a given society). |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ART |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (ARCP-MN)(ARCP)(ARHA-MN)(ARHA)(ARST)(IDEA-MN) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
1. Andrew Burnett, Coins (Berkeley, 1991)
2. And assorted articles and excerpts available on Moodle, including:
Markus Breier, "GIS for Numismatics: Methods of Analyses in the Interpretation of Coin Finds" in Mapping Different Geographies. Heidelberg, 2010.
3. B.D.Chattopadhyaya, "D.D. Kosambi and the Study of Early Indian Coins" , Economic and Political Weekly 2008
4. John Deyell, Living without Silver: The Monetary History of Early Medieval North India (New Delhi, 1990)
5. E.J. Frazer and J. van der Touw, "The Random Walk: a Study of Coins Lost and Found in an Urban Environment" , Numismatic Chronicle, 2010.
6. Philip Grierson, Numismatics (Oxford, 1975)
7. Jules Janick and Judith B. Santini, "Street Money: Distribution and Analysis" American Journal of Numismatics, 2004-05.
8. Kris Lockyear, "Models of Coin Supply and Circulation" , ch. 3 of Patterns and Process in Late Roman Republican Coin Hoards, 157-2 BC, Oxford 2007.
9. Jan Lucassen, "The Logistics of Wage Payments: Changing Patterns in Northern India in the 1840s"
10. Bengt Thordeman, "The Lohe Hoard: A Contribution to the Methodology of Numismatics" , The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Royal Numismatic Society, 1948.
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Examinations and Assignments:
1. Regular contributions to lab exercises or class discussions (including reports on readings), two "critical reflections" (1-2 pages) based on exercises begun in class; oral presentation of research project, research paper |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): Wagoner,Phillip Times: .....F. 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: SCIE74; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 14 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 1 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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