Coinage in Etruria: circulation and uses 500-32 BC

<p>This thesis presents an analysis of coin use and circulation within Etruria between 500 and 32 BC. Etruscan and Roman numismatics have historically been discussed separately, and the divide between the two has hindered our understanding of the development of monetization in Etruria. On the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Naiman, M
Other Authors: Howgego, C
Format: Thesis
Published: 2017
Description
Summary:<p>This thesis presents an analysis of coin use and circulation within Etruria between 500 and 32 BC. Etruscan and Roman numismatics have historically been discussed separately, and the divide between the two has hindered our understanding of the development of monetization in Etruria. On the basis of a new relational database containing coin hoards and site finds from within Etruria, this thesis examines the spatial and temporal trends in coin production and use.</p> <p>Chapter Two is based on a separate database, which includes coins with unknown provenances. It analyses the metrology, chronology, denominational structures, and scales of production of Etruscan coinages. In addition to quantifying the amount of precious metal coined by the principal mints within Etruria, the analysis shows Etruscan minting bodies to be diverse and distinct entities. Chapter Three surveys hoarding in Etruria and assesses the geospatial and temporal trends as well as the integration of Etruria into the Roman coin pool. A causal relationship between warfare and hoarding is questioned, as hoard find locations are incongruous with what would be expected from an examination of the literary evidence. Chapter Four examines the distributions of the most prevalent coinages within Etruria and, through geospatial analysis, hypothesizes production locations for un-assigned coinages. The chapter asserts that there were nearly mutually exclusive zones of circulation for the various pre-Second Punic War third century coinages present. Chapter Five surveys coin use by category of archaeological site and, when available, provides a closer examination of contextual information. The final chapter presents the main conclusions and argues that Roman hegemonic control indirectly led to the cessation of non-Roman coin production as well as the spread of Roman coinage within Etruria.</p>