ARCHAEOMETRICAL INVESTIGATION OF ROMAN SILVER COINS FROM BULGARIA

Abstract

In this study, we provide the results of a micro-XRF archaeometric investigation of 87 Roman silver coins of different types that were discovered in Plovdiv (Central South Bulgaria) as part of coin hoard. 593 Roman coins dating from the middle of the second century AD to the middle of the third century AD comprise the hoard. The primary purpose of this report is to determine the amount of silver in the alloy, as well as the amounts of other elements. A micro-XRF spectrometer was used for the non-destructive analysis. The results indicate that the coins struck from the middle of the second to the middle of the third century AD included varying amounts of the following key elements: silver, copper, lead, and tin. Archaeometric study sheds light on the state's economy during the relevant periods, as well as on coin manufacture and circulation technologies inside the Roman Empire. On the basis of statistical estimation and correlation analysis, several interesting observations are made about the technologies utilized and the origins of silver ores.