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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Silphium Addict, post: 8226155, member: 116882&quot;]The chemical composition of silver in coins can be traced to certain deposits based on isotope analysis and metal ratios. For example, silver analysis of Roman coinage around the time of the Second Punic War confirms the historical context: </p><p><br /></p><p>The quadrigatus of higher silver content struck before and early in the war used silver from Spain, undoubtedly from the large silver indemnity Carthage paid Rome after the First Punic War. The silver composition of the denarius when it was introduced is different, probably reflecting the large amount of silver obtained from the sack of Syracuse 212 BC. Later denarii reverted to Spanish silver after the capture of Carthago Nova by Scipio 209 BC. </p><p><br /></p><p>Here are a few references:</p><p>A general article on silver analysis:</p><p>J.a. Milot, C. Malod-Dognin, J. Blichert-Toft, et al., &quot;Sampling and combined Pb and Ag isotopic analysis of ancient silver coins and ores,&quot; <i>Chemical Geology</i> (2020) </p><p>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348377013_Sampling_and_combined_Pb_and_Ag_isotopic_analysis_of_ancient_silver_coins_and_ores" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348377013_Sampling_and_combined_Pb_and_Ag_isotopic_analysis_of_ancient_silver_coins_and_ores" rel="nofollow">https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348377013_Sampling_and_combined_Pb_and_Ag_isotopic_analysis_of_ancient_silver_coins_and_ores</a> </p><p><br /></p><p>F. Albarède, J. Blichert-Toft, M. Rivoal, and P. Telouk, ‘A glimpse into the Roman finances of the Second Punic Was through silver isotopes&quot;, <i>Geochemical Perspective Letters</i> 2 (2016), pp. 127-37 </p><p><a href="https://www.geochemicalperspectivesletters.org/article1613" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.geochemicalperspectivesletters.org/article1613" rel="nofollow">https://www.geochemicalperspectivesletters.org/article1613</a></p><p>Summary at: </p><p><a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170814092835.htm" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170814092835.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170814092835.htm</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Jean Milot et al, &quot;Silver isotope and volatile trace element systematics in galena samples from the Iberian Peninsula and the quest for silver sources of Roman coinage&quot;, <i>Geology</i> (2021). </p><p>Summary at: </p><p><a href="https://phys.org/news/2021-12-sources-roman-silver-coinage-iberian.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://phys.org/news/2021-12-sources-roman-silver-coinage-iberian.html" rel="nofollow">https://phys.org/news/2021-12-sources-roman-silver-coinage-iberian.html</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Here&#039;s an early quadrigatus:[ATTACH=full]1445461[/ATTACH]</p><p>Rome Anonymous 225-212 BC</p><p>AR quadrigatus 6.6 gm</p><p>O: laureate head Janus</p><p>R: Victory and Jupiter in racing quadriga right; Incuse ROMA below</p><p>RRC 28/3[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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