Costanza Cucini, Grazia Facchinetti

The “Treasure of Como” and the Production of Solidi During the Late Roman Empire

Introduction

The “treasure of como” and the production of solidi during the late roman empire. Uncover the Como Treasure (1000 solidi), a key archaeological find, detailing Late Roman Empire gold coin production. Explore ancient minting processes, metallurgy, and workshop organization.

Abstract

The Como Treasure, discovered in 2018 during archaeological excavations in the Roman town of Novum Comum, consists of 1,000 solidi  and a few other gold artifacts – three rings, a small piece of an ingot and incomplete and unfinished gold jewelry. It is the most  important hoard of Roman gold coins discovered in Central/Western Europe in recent decades. The examination of the solidi allowed  for the study of the traces of workmanship and the reconstruction of the operative chain used in Late Antiquity mints. The gold was  melted under oxidizing conditions, purified by cupellation and cementation and then assayed. In order to obtain the blanks, foils were  made, cut in round plates with iron shears. Then the edges and the weight were adjusted al pezzo with iron files. As some of the  impurities visible to the naked eye show on some coins, iron filings from files accidentally got into the filings or gold waste used for  melting. Coins were obtained by minting using dies engraved according to a well determined sequence: after a subdivision of the die’s  surface with compasses, the figures and finally the inscriptions were engraved. The production process was concluded by checking the weight of the coins. In times of intensive production mints could shorten their production times by recoining old coins. In this case, the purity of the gold was checked by taking a sample from the center of the coins before their recoinage. These different stages required  specialized staff and ateliers with different features placed in a building that guaranteed high levels of security and that was well connected to the road network to allow supplies. These characteristics seem to be found in a building unearthed in old excavations in  Milan and already interpreted as a bath. On the basis of the information currently available, however, the possibility of it being the  mint of the comitatus cannot be ruled out.

Review

This paper presents a fascinating analysis of the "Treasure of Como," a remarkably significant hoard of 1,000 solidi and other gold artifacts discovered in 2018. The authors rightly highlight its importance as the most substantial find of Roman gold coins in Central/Western Europe in recent decades. The primary objective of the research, as outlined in the abstract, is to leverage this unique collection to meticulously study the traces of workmanship on the solidi and reconstruct the intricate operative chain employed in Late Antiquity mints. This promises to offer invaluable insights into the technical aspects of coin production during a pivotal period of Roman history. The abstract details a comprehensive reconstruction of the gold coin production process. The gold underwent melting under oxidizing conditions, purification through cupellation and cementation, and subsequent assaying. Foils were then created, cut into round blanks with iron shears, and meticulously adjusted for weight and edges "al pezzo" using iron files – a detail underscored by the presence of accidental iron filings from this process on some coins. The minting itself involved dies engraved in a precise sequence, beginning with compass-guided surface subdivision, followed by figures, and finally inscriptions, all concluding with a final weight check. The paper also touches upon the practice of recoining old coins to accelerate production, where purity was checked by sampling the coin's center, adding another layer to the understanding of minting economics and efficiency. Beyond the technical details of coin production, the paper extends its scope to the broader context of mint operations. It emphasizes the necessity for specialized staff and distinct ateliers, housed within a secure building with excellent road connections for supplies. Intriguingly, the authors suggest that these characteristics align with a building unearthed in earlier excavations in Milan, previously interpreted as a bath, proposing the intriguing possibility of it being the mint of the *comitatus*. This speculative, yet well-reasoned, connection between the physical evidence of coin production and a potential archaeological site significantly enhances the paper's potential impact on our understanding of Late Roman urban infrastructure and economic administration. Overall, this abstract promises a highly significant contribution to numismatic studies, archaeological interpretation, and the history of technology.

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