FIB-FESEM and EMPA results on Antoninianus silver coins for manufacturing and corrosion processes

Scientific Reports
María Teresa Doménech-CarbóCaterina De Vito

Abstract

A set of ancient Antoninianus silver coins, dating back between 249 and 274 A.D. and minted in Rome, Galliae, Orient and Ticinum, have been characterized. We use, for the first time, a combination of nano-invasive (focused ion beam-field emission scanning electron microscopy-X-ray microanalysis (FIB-FESEM-EDX), voltammetry of microparticles (VIMP)) and destructive techniques (scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA)) along with non-invasive, i.e., micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results revealed that, contrary to the extended belief, a complex Ag-Cu-Pb-Sn alloy was used. The use of alloys was common in the flourishing years of the Roman Empire. In the prosperous periods, Romans produced Ag-Cu alloys with relatively high silver content for the manufacture of both the external layers and inner nucleus of coins. This study also revealed that, although surface silvering processes were applied in different periods of crisis under the reign of Antoninii, even during crisis, Romans produced Antoninianus of high quality. Moreover, a first attempt to improve the silvering procedure using Hg-Ag amalgam has been identified.

References

May 25, 2011·Analytical Chemistry·Antonio Doménech-CarbóMaría Amparo Peiró-Ronda
Jan 1, 2015·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Antonio Doménech-CarbóMiquel Herrero-Cortell
Mar 8, 2017·Scientific Reports·M BarberioP Antici

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
scanning
X-ray

Software Mentioned

EMPA
Microbeams
Aztec
PAPmethod
LabSpec

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