Optional Module - Numismatics
CX902-30
Numismatics is the study of systems of coinage. The module covers the coinages of Greece and Rome from the end of the seventh century BC to the seventh century AD. The module looks at the various ways that coinage can be used in the study of the ancient world, as a source for history, art history, archaeology and ancient economics.
The aim of this module is to train students both how coinage may be used as an element in studying the material culture of the ancient world and how to investigate coins as historical entities in their own right.
Module leader: Prof Suzanne Frey-Kupper
Thursdays 12-2pm in FAB 2.23 (Antiquities Room), unless otherwise stated
Terms 1 and 2 (odd weeks)
Please see Moodle for full details.
Term 1
Week 1: Ancient Numismatics: Pre-induction and coin identification
In this introductory seminar, we will discuss how numismatics interacts with the other disciplines of Classics and Ancient History. We will familiarise with the basics of numismatics and do so by engaging with original coins from our Antiquities collection.
Please do familiarise with these books which are the core readings of the module (also required for week 3 in the Core module), both available online via the Library:
Howgego, C. (1995) Ancient History from Coins (Oxford: Oxford University Press), pp. 1-23 (and if you would like to and can pp. 62-87)
Metcalf, W. (2012, ed.) Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage (Oxford: Oxford University Press), pp. 1-11
Do look also for each a Greek and a Roman coin and prepare a few powerpoint slides with information on these coins. Doing so, try to explain what makes these coins 'Greek' or 'Roman'. The presentation should be no longer than 15 min.
Please do send the presentations before the seminar (by Wed. 3 Oct. 12/noon) to S.Frey-Kupper@warwick.ac.uk
You may use the following websites: https://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?search=greek
and http://numismatics.org/ocre/results
Week 2: A separate induction to the reference works is part of the joint induction to Epigraphy and Numismatics in the Core module jointly with the MPhil/PhD students (Wed. 9 Oct. 11am - 1pm in FAB 2.23)
Week 3: Why did Ancient States Strike Coins? The beginnings of Coinage
Week 5: Archaic to Classical and identities
Week 7: Hellenistic Coinages, die-links and quantification
Week 9: Roman Republican Coinage and Banking & Business
Term 2
Week 1: Augustus to c. AD 190. Propaganda and Reception
Week 3 (exceptionally 3-5pm): Seminar, followed by “The non-state coinages of Minturnae and Pompeii and the silver/lead mines of South-Eastern Spain in the last two centuries BC” (Cand. HonDLitt Clive Stannard)
Week 5: The Third and Fourth Centuries AD and Imitations
Week 7: Coin Hoards and Site Finds
Week 9: Essay presentations
Visit to Oxford, Ashmolean Museum. Heberden Coin Room tbc
meet Suzanne at the main entrance of the museum at 2.30pm
Assessment:
5,000 word essay
All essay titles and topics must be discussed well in advance with the module leader.
Deadline for essay titles to be approved by the module leader: Friday 7 March 2025
Please submit your title by email.
Deadline for essay to be submitted: Friday 21 March 2025
You can expect to receive feedback within 20 working days electronically via Tabula. You are also encouraged to attend a feedback tutorial with the module tutor.
Essential reading
Howgego, C. (1995) Ancient History from Coins (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
Metcalf, W. (2012, ed.) Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage Oxford (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
Further details and material will be available on the module's Moodle webpage.
Numismatic events:
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The Royal Numismatic Society has a monthly lecture series at the Warburg Institute or the British Museum in London for its members (student annual membership is currently £18).
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