Sexy Coin, But....

I've commented on this before and will do so again because I am a simplistic kind of guy who appreciates reality vs absurdity. For some periods and cultures we have clearly established and documentary evidence as to what we should call a denomination. But for some (as this example) there is nothing that tells us what we should really be calling a coin. Clearly these coins are still the same denomination. Early on they were called 'antoninianii'. I am fine with that, we dont know, can never know (unless someone finds an original treatise in someones basement, or if you are a conspiracy theorist, the vaults of the Vatican!).

So, I am comfortable with the current terminology. But, my educational background is in anthropology and history, and as such I understand that many such concepts are plastic or malleable. I am certain many are aware or have an understanding of the 'publish or die' concept. It has led to such absurdities as string theory, big bang and many others (no, I'm not religious, let's not go that direction!). That is exactly why we have ridiculous names for coin denominations that we cant obviously know. One cant make a name for themselves by just agreeing with the standard or normal. When did a stater become a nomos? Any why nomos? Doesnt matter, really. We can call it a 'boozle' and it is the same thing.

Also, as a dealer, I am caught in between. In my descriptions I use many different names or spellings. Why? Not because I like one or the other but I know that many are searching using different names or spelling and if my coins are to be seen I have to mix it up (again, absurdity). Also, why are dealers and book writers using alternate spellings? The biggest one is using 'k' for 'c' and vice versa. I understand 'k' is more Greek and 'c' Latin, but why does anyone prefer one over the other? A search on VCoins for Thessalonika gives 119 results. Thessalonica gives 961 results.

 

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Great post Dorney, as I'm coming to expect from you. May I ask a question since it is obvious you have given more thought to this than I have. I have read a bit of Classical writings, my focus is on the First Century (but not confined to it), so most of the little bit I know will reflect that era.

Off the top of my head, but I can recall references to Denarii, Sestertii along with the As and Quadrans in First to early Second Century writings ranging from Suetonius to The Bible. I cannot recall having read about the Dupondius (I'm sure someone will be along to correct this shortly). We seem to know what coins were called and how they related to one another for this era with a very high degree of certainty.

So, in later writings (Third-Fourth Century) how is money treated? It has to come up and from some of the modern histories of the later Empire it sounds like we know something about the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine, if not so much that of Aurelian and to know that there must be a primary source, so what did they call the coins?