Civic Coinage Flashcards
Monetary benefit of iconography w local/civic significance? Political?
Made the coins unique and thus recognisable in relation to the specific mint.
Can be useful means of political messaging for a state or individual appealing to a local audience
What are the themes in subjects of localised/civic coinage? (2)
local deities, often associated with geography
local leaders e.g. dynasts, conquerors
In what ways do coins relate to identity other than just reflecting it?
contribute to the creation and maintenance of a community’s identity
When was the steepest rise in no. of cities minting their own coins under Imperial Rome?
under Trajan’s reign 2nd cent BCE
What changed in civic coin minting in the 3rd cent CE?
number of mints declined but on average mints were producing higher volume
What are elements of iconography that frequently appeared on R civic coinage? (4)
Religion, local or to assoc. themselves w cults of Empire
Monumental local buildings
Local myth/history, often the origin story of a place
Divine representations of geography - city, mountain, river
When does civic coinage end under the R Empire? What’s the change we see in coinage?
end of 3rd cent
All coins now standardised and have Latin legends
What economic benefit could be reaped by a small state if they had their own coinage?
revenue from exchange rates w external currency
What was v unique about the iconography of repub coinage?
moneyers were depicted and immortalised on the types incl achievements of family, names, and family origins
What was a key western place of civic coinage in early imperial period? When and why did they come to an end?
Spain
c41 CE, likely an expression of wanting to be closer to Rome
Where was civic coinage particularly numerous under the R Emp?
The east eg. around Aegean
What did Eastern civic coinage look like under the Empire?
Obv: Imperial portrait / Roma (more rare)
Rev: locally significant icon
When did eastern civic coins reach a height in number and variety?
late 2nd-early 3rd cents CE, under the Severans
What authorities gave permission for western civic coin minting? Evidence?
public official (decurio) - DD legend (Decretio Decurionum)
local senate decree - PP (pecunia publica)
individual’s own money - DSP (de sua pecunia)
What authorities were behind the civic coin minting in the east?
most often local boule but individuals are also evidences as to being responsible
