Elemental composition of gold and silver coins of Siphnos

Kenneth A. Sheedy; Damian B. Gore; Maryse Blet-Lemarquand; Gillan Davis

Elemental composition of gold and silver coins of Siphnos

Kenneth A. Sheedy, Damian B. Gore, Maryse Blet-Lemarquand, Gillan Davis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Three areas in mainland and Aegean Greece are known to have been important sources of silver during antiquity: Laurion in south-east Attica, the Thraco-Macedonian region of northern Greece, and the Cycladic island of Siphnos. The mines of Siphnos are thought to have been a major source of silver for archaic Greece coinage, especially that of Aegina. Lead isotope and elemental analyses have been used in published studies of ores, slag and litharge (lead oxide; PbO) found on Siphnos, and elemental analyses on 12 coins. Here we present elemental analyses of one gold and 29 silver coins from Siphnos. This data leads us to reconsider the claim made by Gale et al. 1980 that the levels of bismuth in Siphnian silver are higher than those recorded levels for Laurion silver. Finally, the evidence of the analyses is considered in relation to the history of minting on Siphnos.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Metallurgy in Numismatics 6
Subtitle of host publication	Mines, Metals and Money: Ancient World Studies in Science, Archaeology and History
Editors	Kenneth A. Sheedy, Gillan Davis
Place of Publication	London
Publisher	Royal Numismatic Society
Chapter	10
Pages	149-163
Number of pages	15
ISBN (Print)	090140537X, 0901405355
Publication status	Published - 2020

Publication series

Name	Royal Numismatic Society Special Publications
Publisher	Royal Numismatic Society
Volume	56

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Sheedy, K. A., Gore, D. B., Blet-Lemarquand, M., & Davis, G. (2020). Elemental composition of gold and silver coins of Siphnos. In K. A. Sheedy, & G. Davis (Eds.), Metallurgy in Numismatics 6: Mines, Metals and Money: Ancient World Studies in Science, Archaeology and History (pp. 149-163). (Royal Numismatic Society Special Publications; Vol. 56). London: Royal Numismatic Society.

Sheedy, Kenneth A. ; Gore, Damian B. ; Blet-Lemarquand, Maryse ; Davis, Gillan. / Elemental composition of gold and silver coins of Siphnos. Metallurgy in Numismatics 6: Mines, Metals and Money: Ancient World Studies in Science, Archaeology and History. editor / Kenneth A. Sheedy ; Gillan Davis. London : Royal Numismatic Society, 2020. pp. 149-163 (Royal Numismatic Society Special Publications).

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title = "Elemental composition of gold and silver coins of Siphnos",

abstract = "Three areas in mainland and Aegean Greece are known to have been important sources of silver during antiquity: Laurion in south-east Attica, the Thraco-Macedonian region of northern Greece, and the Cycladic island of Siphnos. The mines of Siphnos are thought to have been a major source of silver for archaic Greece coinage, especially that of Aegina. Lead isotope and elemental analyses have been used in published studies of ores, slag and litharge (lead oxide; PbO) found on Siphnos, and elemental analyses on 12 coins. Here we present elemental analyses of one gold and 29 silver coins from Siphnos. This data leads us to reconsider the claim made by Gale et al. 1980 that the levels of bismuth in Siphnian silver are higher than those recorded levels for Laurion silver. Finally, the evidence of the analyses is considered in relation to the history of minting on Siphnos.",

author = "Sheedy, {Kenneth A.} and Gore, {Damian B.} and Maryse Blet-Lemarquand and Gillan Davis",

year = "2020",

language = "English",

isbn = "090140537X",

series = "Royal Numismatic Society Special Publications",

publisher = "Royal Numismatic Society",

pages = "149--163",

editor = "Sheedy, {Kenneth A.} and Gillan Davis",

booktitle = "Metallurgy in Numismatics 6",

address = "United Kingdom",

}

Elemental composition of gold and silver coins of Siphnos. / Sheedy, Kenneth A.; Gore, Damian B.; Blet-Lemarquand, Maryse; Davis, Gillan.

Metallurgy in Numismatics 6: Mines, Metals and Money: Ancient World Studies in Science, Archaeology and History. ed. / Kenneth A. Sheedy; Gillan Davis. London : Royal Numismatic Society, 2020. p. 149-163 (Royal Numismatic Society Special Publications; Vol. 56).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

TY - CHAP

T1 - Elemental composition of gold and silver coins of Siphnos

AU - Sheedy, Kenneth A.

AU - Gore, Damian B.

AU - Blet-Lemarquand, Maryse

AU - Davis, Gillan

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Three areas in mainland and Aegean Greece are known to have been important sources of silver during antiquity: Laurion in south-east Attica, the Thraco-Macedonian region of northern Greece, and the Cycladic island of Siphnos. The mines of Siphnos are thought to have been a major source of silver for archaic Greece coinage, especially that of Aegina. Lead isotope and elemental analyses have been used in published studies of ores, slag and litharge (lead oxide; PbO) found on Siphnos, and elemental analyses on 12 coins. Here we present elemental analyses of one gold and 29 silver coins from Siphnos. This data leads us to reconsider the claim made by Gale et al. 1980 that the levels of bismuth in Siphnian silver are higher than those recorded levels for Laurion silver. Finally, the evidence of the analyses is considered in relation to the history of minting on Siphnos.

AB - Three areas in mainland and Aegean Greece are known to have been important sources of silver during antiquity: Laurion in south-east Attica, the Thraco-Macedonian region of northern Greece, and the Cycladic island of Siphnos. The mines of Siphnos are thought to have been a major source of silver for archaic Greece coinage, especially that of Aegina. Lead isotope and elemental analyses have been used in published studies of ores, slag and litharge (lead oxide; PbO) found on Siphnos, and elemental analyses on 12 coins. Here we present elemental analyses of one gold and 29 silver coins from Siphnos. This data leads us to reconsider the claim made by Gale et al. 1980 that the levels of bismuth in Siphnian silver are higher than those recorded levels for Laurion silver. Finally, the evidence of the analyses is considered in relation to the history of minting on Siphnos.

M3 - Chapter

SN - 090140537X

SN - 0901405355

T3 - Royal Numismatic Society Special Publications

SP - 149

EP - 163

BT - Metallurgy in Numismatics 6

A2 - Sheedy, Kenneth A.

A2 - Davis, Gillan

PB - Royal Numismatic Society

CY - London

ER -