2017

Studies in Ancient Art and Civilization

Rocznik: 2017 | Tom: 21

artykuł naukowy

angielski

EN Ancient coinage, almost exclusively Roman denarii from 1st or 2nd century AD, constitutes a small percentage of hoards and other assemblages dated (with the latest coins present) to either the Middle Ages or to the modern period. Such finds can be seen as strongly indicating that ancient coinage did function as means of payment in that time. This hypothesis is further supported by written sources. Moreover, ancient coins have also been recorded at other sites in medieval and modern period contexts e.g. in burial sites, which are less easy to interpret than hoards. Finds often include pierced coins and others showing suspension loops, which suggests they may have been used as amulets, jewellery or devotional medals. Other finds, such as Roman coins placed in alms boxes in modern period churches in Silesia, also point to a religious context. At the same time, written sources attest that at least since the Late Middle Ages, Roman denarii were known to common people as St John’s pennies. The name is associated with a Christian interpretation of the image of the emperor's head on the coin, resembling that of John the Baptist on a silver platter.

10.12797/SAAC.21.2017.21.12

http://journals.akademicka.pl/saac/article/view/45

CC BY (uznanie autorstwa)

ostateczna wersja opublikowana

29.09.2018

w momencie opublikowania

13

13