Analysis of Greek small coinage from the classic period

A series of 25 Greek coins from the 6th to 4th centuries BC was studied by PIXE for their trace element composition, with an aim to discover the origin of their silver ore. The procedure revealed a counterfeited coin, and then concentrated on distinguishing the coins minted from the ore of Laurion on the Attica peninsula and the coins minted from other sources. Linear discriminant analysis based on the impurities and alloying elements of copper, gold, lead and bismuth revealed that discrimination is indeed possible according to a single canonical variable.