Have any old descriptions of security measures at ancient or medieval mints survived? I’m interested in defense against outside forces (robberies, burglaries, etc.) and internal security against pilfering by workers. I’ve read that some of ancient Rome’s precious metal reserves were stored in solidly built temples. And an early mint was in the temple of the goddess Juno Moneta. But how was access to the coins and precious metals controlled? Cal
I’m sure traveling “military mints” in Roman times came with plenty of their own security. And in medieval times, the mints would likely have been in imposing fortresses/castles. But with Greek temples and such, one wonders…
If there was any theft, it would've most likely done by the mint workers themselves. I don't think they'd have pocketed a couple of coins but scraped slivers of metal under the detection limits of the scales that they had, probably under 0.1g, but over time it adds up. Also the lack of CCTVs came in handy!
One also has to consider how much harsher the penalty for being caught as a thief in the mint was in those times. It would invariably prove fatal- and probably be an unpleasant death at that. So while that wouldn’t have stopped all thieving, I’m sure the draconian penalty must have provided some deterrent.
It's been several years since I read it, but as I recall Alan Stahl's book Zecca, the Mint of Venice in the Middle Ages has a comprehensive description of mint practices, including penalties for theft, forgery and counterfeiting. There are a couple of inexpensive copies for sale on VCoins.
Of course a serrated coin was a deterrent to swallowing. My late friend who was the Master of the Royal Mint told me many stories about the ingenuity of the dishonest. Employees have to enter and leave by metal detectors. The Royal Mint at Llantrisant is surrounded by security fencing. An astute security guard was interested to see someone in a metal field metal detecting. After several Saturday viewing this , the guard walked to the field perimeter and checked the registration plate of the car of the metal detector enthusiast. The plate belonged to a mint employee and it was revealed that on his tea break in the early hours on a night shift he was using a catapult ( sling shot ) to shoot pound coins into the field. In those days around $2000 dollars a week!. The wit of man often outwits security. Laur. head of Jupiter right , SC behind. Appears to be the principal coinage of the faction opposed to the return of Sulla to Rome. Balbus strikes as praetor by special decree of the Senate. Victory in quadriga right holding wreath and palm. Control letter M below. Try swallowing a dozen of these.......
