Introductory description

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the main developments in the coinage of the ancient world, from its Anatolian beginnings in the 7th century BC to the late Roman period and beyond.
The module will divide into two main aspects:
The development of coinage in the Greek world, where it is characterised by the great diversity of city coinages.
The adoption of currency by Rome, which was eventually able to extend its currency system and economic power throughout the western half of its empire, but was content to allow civic coinage to continue in the east until the end of the 3rd century AD.
As well as studying the history of coinage students will have the opportunity to handle the material available in the department and to gain expertise in its cataloguing.
By the end of the module you will have gained an understanding of the main developments that took place in the numismatic history of antiquity and be able to examine critically some of the interpretations of ancient coinage advanced by modern scholarship.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the main developments in the coinage of the ancient world, from its Anatolian beginnings in the 7th century BC to the late Roman period and beyond. The module will divide into two main aspects: the development of coinage in the Greek world, where it is characterised by the great diversity of city coinages; the adoption of currency by Rome, which was eventually able to extend its currency system and economic power throughout the western half of its empire, but was content to allow civic coinage to continue in the east until the end of the 3rd century AD.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Have enhanced their research, writing and communication skills
• Have gained an understanding of the main developments that took place in the numismatic history of antiquity
• Be able to examine critically some of the interpretations of ancient coinage advanced by modern scholarship
• Appreciate issues around the handling and cataloguing of ancient coins

Indicative reading list

• Howgego C., Ancient History from Coins. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995) Metcalf, W. (2012, ed.)
• Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage Oxford (Oxford: Oxford University Press)

Subject specific skills

Have gained an understanding of the main developments that took place in the numismatic history of antiquity.
Be able to examine critically some of the interpretations of ancient coinage advanced by modern scholarship.
Appreciate issues around the handling and cataloguing of ancient coins

Transferable skills

• critical thinking
• problem solving
• active lifelong learning
• communication
• information literacy
• professionalism