Crises, whether military, economic or social, have always had a decisive influence on the production, circulation and use of coins. This year’s course takes a look at the behaviour of coinage in times of crisis from different points of view, but with a special emphasis on a comparison between numismatic sources and written or archaeological sources.

The first part of the course studies the changes that took place in coinage during the conflictive Roman conquest of Hispania. The process began with the Second Punic War, the first great armed conflict financed in coin. The last third of the 2nd century BC and the early 1st century BC was a period of intense production of new issues and deposition of coin hoards, possibly as a result of social and territorial conflicts that were not described by classical authors. In contrast, some military conflicts that were well described by historians left few traces in coins.

The second part of the course analyses the period from the early Imperial period to Late Antiquity. From the 3rd century, Germanic peoples threatened and attacked the Roman borders, leading to the gradual break-up of the Empire. In the case of Hispania, this process culminated with the arrival in the Peninsula of Byzantines, Vandals and Visigoths. The unrest caused by these events provoked serious monetary problems such as the minting of large numbers of coins of low value and chaotic monetary circulation, with specimens that are worn and from diverse origins.

Coordination: Marta Campo


PROGRAMME

Thursday 29 November, from 4 pm to 8 pm

Ebusus and the Second Punic War: the reply of coinage
Marta Campo, course coordinator

Hispania 125-70 BC. Society in face of crisis or the crisis of a society?
Francisca Chaves, Lecturer at the University of Seville

Friday 30 November, from 9.30 am to 2 pm

The weight and value of bronze coins in Republican Hispania. The complex scenario of a convulsive period
Manuel Gozalbes, Curator of the Museu de Prehistòria de València

New archaeological contexts relating to the entry of the Franks into Tarraco in the 3rd century AD
Imma Teixell Navarro, archaeologist of the Historic Heritage Department of Tarragona City Council

Coinage in Barcino in Late Antiquity. Presence and absence in the 5th and 6th centuries of Roman, Byzantine, Vandal and Visigothic issues.
Montserrat Berdún Colón, researcher in numismatics

Friday 30 November, from 4 pm to 8 pm

Archaeology and coins in south-east Hispania during Late Antiquity. Contacts between the Regio Malacitana and inland Baetica
Bartolomé Mora Serrano, Lecturer at the University of Málaga

Financial policy in Rome at times of stress and crisis
Toni Ñaco del Hoyo, Lecturer in ICREA Research at the Autonomous University of Barcelona

Final debate


GENERAL INFORMATION

This course is recognised by the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts of the Autonomous University of Barcelona as a free choice assignment with 1.5 credits.
Recognised by the Department of Education of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) as an ongoing training activity for teachers.


INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

Numismatics Cabinet of Catalonia of the MNAC
Tel. 93 622 03 60
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 2 pm
gnc@mnac.cat


ENROLMENT

Cost of enrolment is 30 €. Students, pensioners and friends of the MNAC, 24 €. Everyone enrolling is entitled to a publication on the course content and a certificate of attendance.

Requirements for attending the course are prior registration (submit the completed form or send us your details by email) and payment of the enrolment fee to the current account of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (núm. 2,100 0,974 89 0200035583).