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Analysis of Gold Hoard from Late Roman/Early Byzantine Period Found in Jordan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

W.S. Williams  and
J. W. Flanagan
W.S. Williams
Affiliation:
Program on Ancient Technologies and Archaeological Materials and Physics Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, [email protected]
J. W. Flanagan
Affiliation:
Department of Religion, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
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Abstract

Thirty-four gold solidi coins and two pairs of gold/jewel earrings were discovered at an archaeological site in Jordan, Tell Nimrin. The coins have stamped images of six late Roman/early Byzantine emperors who reigned from 346 AD to 518 AD. These objects were analyzed by X-ray radiography, SEM/EDS and density measurements to find the gold content for comparison with other coins ofthat period to support their authenticity and to see whether debasement of coinage had occurred. The average surface gold content was found by EDS to be 98.1 wt %--typical of the period--but the bulk content calculated from density values was 1 to 3 wt % lower. The reason offered is that when a molten gold-copper or gold-silver alloy solidifies, the region in contact with the blank coin mold freezes first and is gold-enriched. Small “silvery” specks were observed on the obverse (”heads”) side of several coins and found by EDS to be Os-Ir-Ru alloys, which come from placer mining and indicate that the gold also came from placer mining.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 462: Symposium DD – Materials Issues in Art and Archaeology V , 1996 , 155
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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References

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