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Microstructural and compositional characterization of Roman coins
Author(s) -
Calliari I.,
Magrini M.,
Zambon A.,
Guerriero P.,
Martini R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
x‐ray spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.447
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1097-4539
pISSN - 0049-8246
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4539(199903/04)28:2<86::aid-xrs313>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - microanalysis , characterization (materials science) , microstructure , scanning electron microscope , energy dispersive x ray spectroscopy , alloy , electron probe microanalysis , mineralogy , chemical composition , metallurgy , materials science , analytical chemistry (journal) , geology , electron microprobe , chemistry , composite material , nanotechnology , environmental chemistry , organic chemistry
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy‐dispersive microanalysis (EDS) andenergy‐dispersive x‐ray spectrometry (EDXRS) were used to investigate the composition and microstructure of some Roman coins from the Julius Caesar and Octavianus periods. The samples were Cu‐based alloys with different surface conditions. The microstructural examination supported the chemical analysis data, explaining compositional changes from the surface to the bulk. Compositional data confirm the numismatic interpretation: coins issued by Julius Caesar were orichalcum (Cu–Zn alloy) coins whereas asses issued by Octavianus were Cu–Pb–Sn coins. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.