Description
The perfect starter kit for cleaning and identifying ancient Roman bronze coins. Polish up a part of history and discover the history behind a 1600+ year old ancient coin. Once cleaned you will be able to see the Emperors portrait, information about where in the Empire the coin was minted and ideaologies & motifs presented to the people on the reverse of the coin.
Each kit includes
- 5 x Genuine Good quality uncleaned Roman bronze coins. These coins are typically dated to 250-400AD and were minted throughout cities within the Roman Empire.
- 1 x Pin Vise and 4 x diamond encrusted cleaning bits. Perfect for slowly scraping away encrusted dirt + toothpicks for softer dirt scraping.
- 2 x Cleaning Brushes. Nylon and Brass. Nylon brush is perfect for cleaning with some pressure. Repeated cleanings between water soaks.
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1 x Roman coin cleaning guide. Each coin is different, and depending on the soil / condition in which it was found a different cleaning method may work best.
Late roman bronze coins can be found today in abundance due to the socio-economic and political changes faced by the late Empire, particularly in the 3rd and 4th centuries.
Increased Military Expenditures and Army Sizes
As the Roman Empire expanded, it faced increasing threats on multiple fronts—from Germanic tribes in the north to Persian forces in the east. To defend this vast territory, the emperors significantly increased the size of the Roman army. This expansion was costly, as larger armies required more resources, not just for equipment and supplies but also for salaries. Emperors struggled to meet these financial demands, often resorting to various measures to raise funds.
Civil Wars and Political Instability
The period was marked by frequent civil wars as rival claimants to the throne contested for power. Each contender needed military support to secure and maintain power, which further increased the financial strain as resources were diverted to fund these internal conflicts. Civil wars also disrupted the economy and agricultural production, contributing to inflation and economic instability.
Debasement of Currency and Inflation
To cope with the financial demands, especially the need to pay the army, emperors began debasing the currency. Originally, coins had high silver content, but over time, the content was reduced to increase the number of coins produced from the same amount of silver. This debasement led to rampant inflation. As the real value of the currency diminished, it took more coins to purchase the same goods and services, which eroded public trust in the currency.
Hoarding and Lack of Banking
In response to this economic uncertainty, individuals hoarded wealth. With no formal banking systems like those we have today, people resorted to burying their coins for safekeeping. This practice was common as it provided a means to secure personal wealth against theft and loss during times of war and instability. Consequently, many of these coin hoards have been found buried throughout regions once controlled by the Roman Empire, providing a rich source of historical artifacts.
The prevalence of late Roman bronze coins in archaeological findings today is a testament to these tumultuous times. The coins not only served as currency but also as a reflection of the economic strategies and hardships faced by the empire during its decline. As such, we are lucky to have so many well preserved coins today which we can clean