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<p>[QUOTE="Finn235, post: 8354791, member: 98035"]There is also a big distinction to be made between "in constant circulation" and "dug up and spent".</p><p><br /></p><p>Even the highest relief coins ever minted probably could withstand 75-100 years of continual circulation at most before becoming a completely unrecognizable flat disc. Coins that were closer to modern relief (Roman denarii and LRBs) probably could withstand 30-50 years of continual use. Of course, just like modern coins, ancient ones probably spent considerable stretches "at rest" in jars or pots which helped extend their longevity - we know that higher value coins often lasted longer, as Trajan issued restoration versions of some of his favorite Republican types when he decreed that pre-Nero denarii be turned in for re-coining. Antony's legionary denarii, as stated above, continued to circulate until the mid/late 2nd century, as Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus decided to restore the type.</p><p><br /></p><p>What I really wish we had especially as we move into the age of dirt cheap data and server bandwidth, was a global version of Britain's PAS for hoard data. I personally only have purchased a few (probable) hoards, but it would be really interesting to know how often significantly older coins pop up in hoards.</p><p><br /></p><p>My most notable find was a probable Vandal hoard I bought from CNG, which contained primarily local Vandal and Eastern Roman nummi, ranging from late Theodosius II through Justinian's Carthage types... except for two outliers, a barbarous Claudius II, and a 2nd century BC Aspendos small AE - Clearly the design didn't matter to the people who deposited that hoard - if it was small, round, and bronze, it was a nummus and would spend as such.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Finn235, post: 8354791, member: 98035"]There is also a big distinction to be made between "in constant circulation" and "dug up and spent". Even the highest relief coins ever minted probably could withstand 75-100 years of continual circulation at most before becoming a completely unrecognizable flat disc. Coins that were closer to modern relief (Roman denarii and LRBs) probably could withstand 30-50 years of continual use. Of course, just like modern coins, ancient ones probably spent considerable stretches "at rest" in jars or pots which helped extend their longevity - we know that higher value coins often lasted longer, as Trajan issued restoration versions of some of his favorite Republican types when he decreed that pre-Nero denarii be turned in for re-coining. Antony's legionary denarii, as stated above, continued to circulate until the mid/late 2nd century, as Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus decided to restore the type. What I really wish we had especially as we move into the age of dirt cheap data and server bandwidth, was a global version of Britain's PAS for hoard data. I personally only have purchased a few (probable) hoards, but it would be really interesting to know how often significantly older coins pop up in hoards. My most notable find was a probable Vandal hoard I bought from CNG, which contained primarily local Vandal and Eastern Roman nummi, ranging from late Theodosius II through Justinian's Carthage types... except for two outliers, a barbarous Claudius II, and a 2nd century BC Aspendos small AE - Clearly the design didn't matter to the people who deposited that hoard - if it was small, round, and bronze, it was a nummus and would spend as such.[/QUOTE]
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