Argentum monetatum ad usum Zeccha in Emilia-Romagna between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries: from numismatic evidence to archaeometric analysis

The use of archaeometry in numismatics has a long history. How, and to what extent, can these analyses contribute to numismatic research? This paper presents an archaeometric case study of the medieval mints of Emilia-Romagna (central Italy), illustrating one method of investigation that has proven effective and can be extended to other contexts. The case study has three main objectives. Firstly, it uses metallographic analyses to evaluate the reliability of the analyses and assays conducted at the mints from the thirteenth century onnwards. Secondly, it seeks to establish the amount of silver in denarii produced by different mints, which can be compared with evidence of trade contracts between medieval cities. Finally, it investigates the phenomenon of coin forgery, which was widespread in this period.