This contribution is the printed version of a paper read as invited speaker at a symposium organized by the Getty Research Institute on the theme of FRAGMENT. Here I investigated coins as fragments in different ways: 1. PHYSICAL FRAGMENTS: coins have been often cut/halved/fragmented for use in circulation as smaller denominations, or for other reasons (foundlings were often abandoned with a halved coin on them). Metal statues and other objects were melted at times to produce coins, whose metal core was then a fragment of the previous metalwork. Gold coins were beaten to produce leaves to be used in painting... 2. IDEAL FRAGMENTS: a) coins can be seen as fractions/fragments of a production chain in the mint; b) coins can be seen as fragments of a sum of money in a payment/in a hoard; 3) coins often bear on one or each of their sides fragments of cultures and languages, past or contemporary. 3, FRAGMENTS OF ETERNITY: each coin from the past can be seen as a fragment of individual choices, special selection, or chance, but in case of ritual offerings (in graves or foundations) they can be seen as fragments of emotions, beliefs, or memory tokens intended to last to eternity. In a Christian context, the powerful metaphor of the homo-nummus created-struck by a God-die can help us understand how coins were present in all fields of human life and ritual, to the point of becoming relics of living blood.

Fragments and Coins: Production and Memory, Economy and Eternity / L. Travaini - In: The Fragment : an Incomplete History / [a cura di] W. Tronzo. - Los Angeles : Getty Research Intitute, 2009. - ISBN 978-0-89236-926-3. - pp. 154-173

Fragments and Coins: Production and Memory, Economy and Eternity

L. Travaini
Primo
2009

Abstract

This contribution is the printed version of a paper read as invited speaker at a symposium organized by the Getty Research Institute on the theme of FRAGMENT. Here I investigated coins as fragments in different ways: 1. PHYSICAL FRAGMENTS: coins have been often cut/halved/fragmented for use in circulation as smaller denominations, or for other reasons (foundlings were often abandoned with a halved coin on them). Metal statues and other objects were melted at times to produce coins, whose metal core was then a fragment of the previous metalwork. Gold coins were beaten to produce leaves to be used in painting... 2. IDEAL FRAGMENTS: a) coins can be seen as fractions/fragments of a production chain in the mint; b) coins can be seen as fragments of a sum of money in a payment/in a hoard; 3) coins often bear on one or each of their sides fragments of cultures and languages, past or contemporary. 3, FRAGMENTS OF ETERNITY: each coin from the past can be seen as a fragment of individual choices, special selection, or chance, but in case of ritual offerings (in graves or foundations) they can be seen as fragments of emotions, beliefs, or memory tokens intended to last to eternity. In a Christian context, the powerful metaphor of the homo-nummus created-struck by a God-die can help us understand how coins were present in all fields of human life and ritual, to the point of becoming relics of living blood.
coins ; fragments ; mint technology ; metals ; ritual uses ; medieval and modern Europe
Settore L-ANT/04 - Numismatica
2009
Book Part (author)
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/58105
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact