X-Ray Fluorescence and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy analysis of Roman silver denarii

In this paper we present the results of a study performed on a large collection of silver Roman republican denarii, encompassing about two centuries of history. The joint use of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy allowed for an accurate determination of the coins' elemental composition; the measurements, performed mostly in situ at the ‘Monetiere’ in Florence, revealed a striking connection between the ‘quality’ of the silver alloy and some crucial contemporary events. This finding was used to classify a group of denarii whose dating was otherwise impossible. The comparison with other contemporary denarii disproves a recent theory on the origin of the so called ‘serrated’ denarii (denarii showing notched chisel marks on the edge of the coin).

► We studied a large collection of Roman republican silver denarii. ► XRF and LIBS allowed to determine the precious metal content of the coins. ► A correlation of the ‘quality’ of the alloy with some contemporary events was found. ► The study allowed to controvert a recent theory on the so called ‘serrated’ denarii.