Spectroscopic techniques in the investigation of extraordinary medieval Polish coins : revealing the presence of hidden cores

• Autorzy: Trela Krystian , Gójska Aneta Maria , Miśta-Jakubowska Ewelina A. , Kelemen Mitja , Šmit Žiga , Kędzierski Adam , Garbacz-Klempka Aldona

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.2478/nuka-2025-0003

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Spectroscopic techniques in the investigation of extraordinary medieval Polish coins : revealing the presence of hidden coresCross denars, frequently found in Polish hoards, were traditionally thought to be Ag coins with some Cu content. This study investigates the possibility of a hidden Cu core beneath the Ag or Ag–Cu surface of these coins. It raises questions about whether they were counterfeits or intentionally designed for mass production. Unlike Roman denarii, which revealed their cores when broken, the examination of cross denars without damage is challenging. Optical microscopy and microanalysis revealed differences in the composition of early medieval Polish coins, challenging the belief that cross denars were homogeneous Ag–Cu alloys. Detailed spectroscopic analyses, including energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF), scanning electron microscopy with energy- -dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), micro X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and microparticle-induced X-ray emission (-PIXE) measurements, were conducted. These analyses of two cross denars uncovered one composed of an Ag–Cu alloy and another manufactured by plating a Cu–Zn core with an Ag sheet. This suggests the need for further research in the history and technology of minting in Poland in the Early Middle Ages. It also prompts a reconsideration of the applicability of noninvasive X-ray techniques for archaeological examinations.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Ag medieval coins; core coins; ED-XRF; microanalyses; PIXE; SEM-EDS

• Wydawca: Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology
• Czasopismo: Nukleonika
• Rocznik: 2025
• Tom: Vol. 70, No. 1
• Strony: 19--27
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 30 poz., rys.

Twórcy

autor

Trela Krystian

• National Centre for Nuclear Research Andrzeja Sołtana St. 7, 05-400 Otwock-Świerk, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7936-1428

autor

Gójska Aneta Maria

• National Centre for Nuclear Research Andrzeja Sołtana St. 7, 05-400 Otwock-Świerk, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1550-2180

autor

Miśta-Jakubowska Ewelina A.

• Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University Gołębia St. 11, 31-007 Kraków, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0053-8711

autor

Kelemen Mitja

• Jožef Stefan Institute Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9972-7909

autor

Šmit Žiga

• Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8178-7930

autor

Kędzierski Adam

• Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Interdisciplinary Center of Archaeological Research, Kalisz, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8762-2608

autor

Garbacz-Klempka Aldona

• AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Foundry Engineering, Reymonta St. 23, 30-059 Kraków, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8417-6131

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Uwagi

Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr POPUL/SP/0154/2024/02 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki II" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki (2025).