Elena Baldi
Princeton University, Firestone Library, Rare Books and Special Collections, Byzantine Numismatics Cataloger and Linked-Open-Data Coordinator
Numismatist and conservator of archaeological finds, in love with Ostrogoths, Saxons, migration and late antiquity.
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The dating of the numismatic evidence from the harbour area, that was founded in the early 5th century, ranges from 2nd century BC to late 8th century AD. Most of the finds date from the 4th to the 7th century, the period that marks the height of the harbour, with evidence of trade with other areas of the Mediterranean basin, particularly with North Africa and the Near East.
The evidence of the Basilica of San Severo, founded in the later 6th century for the safekeeping of the saint's relics, shows a quite different pattern, with a chronological span from the 1st century BC to the 14th century AD. The occupation of the site is continuous but the numismatic evidence is scarce, until the building of the monastery south of the Basilica, the area from which most of the coins were retrieved.
The large amounts of late antique, Ostrogothic and Byzantine coinage, particularly certain specific types, like the Felix Ravenna, hypothetically minted in Rome, or ½ and ¼ follis Salonian emissions of Justinian I, have allowed some in-depth analysis, specifically related to weight, size and style of the emissions. This type of data, as well as distribution patterns, have allowed to suggest new hypothesis about their production at the mint of Ravenna. Also important is the finding of coinage of Constantine VIII, rare and unknown emissions found only in the areas of Classe and Ravenna.
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During the excavations, a total of 2779 coin were brought to light: 2559 were retrieved from the harbour area and show a chronological range from the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD, whilst 220 were discovered in the excavations of the Basilica of San Severo, with a wider chronological range, from the 1st century BC to the 14th century AD.
The two assemblages include a total of eight copper alloy coins that can be assigned to eighth-century Byzantine productions; however, the issues are not only rarely found in the archaeological record but also show peculiar features that distinguish them from the more known productions of this time.
The dating of the numismatic evidence from the harbour area, that was founded in the early 5th century, ranges from 2nd century BC to late 8th century AD. Most of the finds date from the 4th to the 7th century, the period that marks the height of the harbour, with evidence of trade with other areas of the Mediterranean basin, particularly with North Africa and the Near East.
The evidence of the Basilica of San Severo, founded in the later 6th century for the safekeeping of the saint's relics, shows a quite different pattern, with a chronological span from the 1st century BC to the 14th century AD. The occupation of the site is continuous but the numismatic evidence is scarce, until the building of the monastery south of the Basilica, the area from which most of the coins were retrieved.
The large amounts of late antique, Ostrogothic and Byzantine coinage, particularly certain specific types, like the Felix Ravenna, hypothetically minted in Rome, or ½ and ¼ follis Salonian emissions of Justinian I, have allowed some in-depth analysis, specifically related to weight, size and style of the emissions. This type of data, as well as distribution patterns, have allowed to suggest new hypothesis about their production at the mint of Ravenna. Also important is the finding of coinage of Constantine VIII, rare and unknown emissions found only in the areas of Classe and Ravenna.
During the excavations, a total of 2779 coin were brought to light: 2559 were retrieved from the harbour area and show a chronological range from the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD, whilst 220 were discovered in the excavations of the Basilica of San Severo, with a wider chronological range, from the 1st century BC to the 14th century AD.
The two assemblages include a total of eight copper alloy coins that can be assigned to eighth-century Byzantine productions; however, the issues are not only rarely found in the archaeological record but also show peculiar features that distinguish them from the more known productions of this time.
Durante il processo di pulizia e conservazione delle monete sono stati riscontrati vari fenomeni di alterazione. Questa ricerca ha lo scopo di analizzare la composizione delle monete e la natura dei prodotti di degrado. Si è ritenuto necessario, infatti, creare un database utilizzabile anche nel corso di campagne successive, per ottimizzare le procedure di conservazione delle monete ma anche di altri manufatti metallici che si presentino in simili condizioni di conservazione.
Le tecniche utilizzate sono non distruttive per le monete: Radiografia, Spettroscopia di Fluorescenza X (XRF - sistema portatile) e Diffrattometria di Raggi-X (XRD) per l’analisi dei prodotti di corrosione rimossi durante la pulizia.
to light 2564 coins, 695 of which are legible, providing some important information regarding the
foundation, occupation and later decline of the harbour. Although Classe was founded in the early
5th century, small numbers of coins dating from the 1st to the 3rd century are recorded, and seem
to be indicative of a rural economy and sparse occupation. Possibly still in circulation after the
foundation of the harbour, coinage of the 4th century registers a strong increase in numbers, with
the common issues of the House of Constantine and the House of Valentinian. The high numbers
are often interpreted as evidence of a well-developed economy which needed small modules for
everyday exchange, a likely situation in a harbour town. In contrast with the evidence of other
contemporary sites in the Mediterranean, the finds from Classe include a relatively high number
of numismatic finds from the 5th century, with Honorius and Valentinian III, but also highlight the
continuity of settlement into the period of Ostrogothic and Byzantine control. The high number of
finds from these two periods has allowed some in-depth analysis, particularly of certain specific
types, the Felix Ravenna and the ½ and ¼ follis Salonian issues of Justinian I. The application
of metrology and distribution patterns have suggested a new hypothesis about their possible
production at the mint of Ravenna. Also important is the finding of coinage of Constantine VIII and
the Lombard King Austulf; these are rare and unknown issues found only in the neighbourhoods
of Classe and Ravenna, which mark the very slow decline and later abandonment of the harbour.
2011, have brought to light about 400 coins, 223 of which came from the excavation layers
and the rest from collection in the surrounding area. 68 of the 233 coins are illegible, but the
remainder show evidence of circulation between the 1st century BC and the first half of the 5th
century AD. A diachronic analysis of the evidence shows that the earliest issue of Augustus is
followed by several Asses and Sestertii up to the first half of the 3rd century; coinage of the
second half is not represented, as it is in the evidence found at the nearby harbour of Classe. The
productions of the 4th century are typical of the time and show a steady increase in numismatic
finds, in particular of the Fel. Temp. Reparatio of the House of Constantine and of the Gloria
Romanorum and Securitas Reipublicae of the House of Valentinian. The 5th century witnesses a
decrease in the number of finds; however, coinage of Honorius and Valentinian III is recorded,
with similar types to those seen in the harbour area of Classe. In spite of the vicinity of the Gothic
and Exarchal court in Ravenna, no finds of this period are recorded in Cesenatico, suggesting a
change in the economy of the area.