The Lifespan of Roman Coins: Inflation and Coin Quality

🔍 Investigating how long Roman coins circulated in ancient times using archaeological and numismatic evidence.

💰 Base metal coins had less intrinsic value and their value was determined by the issuing state.

⏳ Base metal coins could circulate for centuries as long as the monetary standard existed.

Coins in ancient Rome were often worn flat and had countermarks to revalidate them.

Base metal coins were preferred for everyday use, while precious metal coins were hoarded.

A coin horde found in Pompeii contained coins from different dynasties, including some that were over a hundred years old.

⏰ Bronze coins could circulate for up to 200 years during the early Roman Empire.

🔍 Italian archaeologists did not publish specific information about the coins found.

💰 Silver denarii were hoarded but still used for bigger purchases.

⏲️ The duration of time Roman coins stayed in circulation varied based on the Central State's manipulation of silver purity.

💰 Coins would be hoarded when it became more profitable due to the value of their precious metal content.

📅 Coins could circulate for centuries or just a few years, depending on their quality and purity.

📜 Roman silver coins circulated for over 250 years, with some coins still in circulation 250 years after they were made.

🌍 Evidence shows that Roman silver coins were also circulated beyond Roman borders through trade with tribes in regions like Germany, Poland, and Ukraine.

💰 Gold coins, such as the Roman Aureus, were not meant to circulate widely and were mostly held by the rich and powerful.

🔑 Roman coins were used for foreign trade and were handled securely, leading to their good condition.

🌍 The Trier horde, the largest Roman gold treasure found, contained coins minted over a span of 130 years.

💰 Changes in weight of the Aureus coin led to earlier coins being melted down and replaced, resulting in the absence of pre-Neronian coins in circulation.

💰 Before a certain reform, Roman coins were likely hoarded, but afterwards, people would only spend the post-reform lightweight coins.

⌛ The circulation time of ancient gold coins varied: they were used as a store of value, circulated until the next Emperor's monetary changes, and during the Roman Empire's peak, some gold coins could circulate for over 100 years.

🏛️ Based on archaeological and numismatic evidence, these conclusions about the circulation of Roman coins were reached.