Authenticating coins of the ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian

Pearson, P. N., Botticelli, M. , Ericsson, J., Olender, J. and Spruženiece, L. (2022) Authenticating coins of the ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian. PLoS ONE, 17(11), e0274285. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274285) (PMID:36417346) (PMCID:PMC9683583)

Abstract

The ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian is known only from an assemblage of coins allegedly found in Transylvania (Romania) in 1713. They are very unlike regular Roman coins in style and manufacture, with various enigmatic features including bungled legends and historically mixed motifs, and have long been dismissed as poorly made forgeries. Here we present non-destructive imaging and spectroscopic results that show features indicative of authenticity. Deep micro-abrasion patterns suggest extensive circulation-wear. Superficial patches of soil minerals bound by authigenic cement and overlain by oxidation products indicate a history of prolonged burial then exhumation. These observations force a re-evaluation of Sponsian as a historical personage. Combining evidence from the coins with the historical record, we suggest he was most likely an army commander in the isolated Roman Province of Dacia during the military crisis of the 260s CE, and that his crudely manufactured coins supported a functioning monetary economy that persisted locally for an appreciable period.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: PNP received a small grant of <£1K from the Royal Numismatic Society https://numismatics.org.uk/grants/.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ericsson, Mr Jesper and Spruzeniece, Dr Liene and Olender, Dr Jacek and Botticelli, Dr Michela

Creator Roles

Botticelli, M.: Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing – review and editing
Ericsson, J.: Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Writing – review and editing
Olender, J.: Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing – review and editing
Spruženiece, L.: Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Pearson, P. N., Botticelli, M., Ericsson, J., Olender, J., and Spruženiece, L.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > History of Art; College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences; University Services > Library and Collection Services > Museum and Art Gallery
• Journal Name: PLoS ONE
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• ISSN (Online): 1932-6203
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 Pearson et al.
• First Published: First published in PLoS ONE 17(11): e0274285
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License