Two numismatic books were reviewed in CoinsWeekly articles this week, one on coins excavated in Pompeii. The other is a
proceedings of a conference devoted to understanding images on ancient coins which addresses an number of interesting questions surrounding the
creation and use of coins in ancient times. Here's information from the publisher's web sites. -Editor
Greek and Roman Coins Seen Through Their Images
TYPOI
Greek and Roman Coins Seen Through Their Images
Noble Issuers, Humble Users?
Proceedings of the International Conference Organized by the Belgian and French Schools at Athens, 26-28 September 2012 par P.P. IOSSIF, Fr. DE
CALLATAŸ, R. VEYMIERS (eds.)
Since the 16th c. numerous studies have been consecrated to the images depicted on Greek and Roman coins. Most of them are concerned with
the identification of numismatic types. In contrast, rare are those asking questions about the possible mechanisms preceding the choice of types by
an authority and their reception(s) by different audiences. The present book brings together various approaches on visual culture from different
fields (working on different areas, periods, or specializing in media other than coins) proposing an original methodological synthesis of what has
been done or has still to be done in numismatic iconography.
More precisely, this book explores the relation between “issuer” and “user” by addressing various points. Were numismatic types chosen and adapted
for particular audiences? If so, then how is it that the iconography, bearing a religious character in most of the cases, does not correspond to
those we imagine being the primary beneficiaries, i.e., soldiers and traders? What is the actual circulation of monetary images? What are the
differences and similarities with respect to the images produced in other media of similar or distant sizes and qualities, gems and seals being
similar, vases and sculptures being distant? To what extend did the issuers draw on media other than coinage for their iconographic ideas? Could
users understand the “message” without the mediation of other media? In which way did numismatic imagery influence (or was it influenced by) the
iconographic types and choices on other media? Which concepts and tools coming from different fields of research (anthropology for instance) are
likely to help our understanding of the type-choice process? Are numismatic types over-commented by art historians (eager to use the term
“propaganda”) and under-commented by economists (more imbued with pragmatism)? To what extent did the indispensable confidence of the users determine
the use of images easily recognizable by them? Who decides the monetary iconography: the highest authorities or, as in the case of Republican Rome,
junior aediles? Who’s responsible for the numismatic type: the coin engraver or the artist creating the original design? These are some of the
questions addressed in this book and answered by leading specialists through new lenses and perspectives focusing on visual culture.
That's a lot of questions for one book! But that's why it takes a conference full of experts to work them out. Hard
evidence from ancient times is scarce, so a lot of hard detective work is required. I'll be curious to know what readers think about the
book's conclusions. -Editor
For more information, or to order, see:
http://www.presses.uliege.be/jcms/c_19852/typoi
To read the CoinsWeekly article, see:
How came images on ancient coins?
(http://www.coinsweekly.com/en/News/How-came-images-on-ancient-coins/4?&id=5447)
Rinvenimenti monetali e circolazione a Pompei
Giacomo Pardini
Rinvenimenti monetali e circolazione a Pompei.Le monete della regio VIII,7,1-15
ISBN 978-88-87744-77-4
ERGASTERIA è una collana di “Studi di Archeologia” del Dipartimento di Scienze del Patrimonio Culturale (Beni e Attività Culturali, Filosofi a,
Fonti, Testi, Territorio)
For more information, or to order, see:
Ergasteria
7. Rinvenimenti monetali e circolazione a Pompei. Le monete della Regio VIII, 7,1-15
(http://www.pandemos.it/collana-ergasteria/ergasteria-7-rinvenimenti-monetali-e-circolazione-a-pompei-le-monete-della-regio-viii-7-1-15-detail.html)
To read the CoinsWeekly article, see:
Shedding light on coins from Pompeii
(http://www.coinsweekly.com/en/News/Shedding-light-on-coins-from-Pompeii/4?&id=5445)
Wayne Homren, Editor
The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.
To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor
at this address: whomren@gmail.com
To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 The Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS)
All Rights Reserved.
NBS Home Page
Contact the NBS webmaster
|