Dear Peter,
Thee are probably several thousand analyses of Roman coins available in
the literature - I have done over 1000 myself. First check whether those
types have been analysed at all and if they have, check whether examples
from the mints represented in your assemblage have been analysed. For
the 1st-3rd centuries AD analysis may not add much to the sum of
knowledge. For the 4th-5th centuries there has been less interest in
analysis and a real contribution could be made. Also copper/bronze/brass
issues from earlier centuries have also had less study, save for brass
in the late Republican/early Imperial coinage.
As to XRF analysis, the method is perfectly valid provided:
a) the analysis is made on a surface cleaned of dirt, corrosion and any
surface enrichment. This is readily done by preparing an area on the
edge of the coin.
b) the spot size of your your X-ray beam should fit within the cleaned
area. This is certainly possible with some systems.
Yours,
Peter
Peter Seinen wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> Over the years, over 250 Roman coins (identified and dated) were collected
> at our favorate spot in the Maas at Cuijk. I am thinking about analysing
> the lot by means of XRF, if this action has any use. What is unique about
> these coins is there location and date: within very confined space, a few
> square meters and a few decades, respectively.
> Could this action be interesting to the arch-metals community ?
>
> As alway, I am looking foreward to your suggestions.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Peter Seinen
>
> Mergor in Mosam foundation, underwater archaeology Cuijk
>
--
Dr Peter Northover,
Materials Science-Based Archaeology Group,
Department of Materials, University of Oxford
Tel +44 (0)1865 283721; Fax +44 (0)1865 841943 Mobile +44 (0)7785 501745
e-mail [log in to unmask]
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