A team of Spanish researchers has made an exciting discovery. They unearthed a stone mold dating back to the 2nd century BC at the archaeological site of Obulco, located in what is now the town of Porcuna. This is the oldest known mold used for minting coins in Roman Spain.
Obulco was a significant Iberian-Roman city during the time of Roman conquests. It particularly thrived in the 2nd century BC, serving as a key economic and cultural hub in the region. The city was strategically positioned along trade routes and had its own mint.
From the late 3rd to the 1st century BC, numerous mints emerged on the Iberian Peninsula, producing coins either regularly or sporadically. However, archaeological evidence of these minting operations is quite scarce. Researchers have more often found coins in the region rather than the mints themselves. Thus, questions regarding production technologies and the locations of these workshops remain open.
What Makes This Discovery Interesting?
The stone mold, measuring about 11 centimeters in height, 13.7 centimeters in length, and 5.4 centimeters in width, is half of a two-part structure used to create coin blanks. These blanks were metal discs from which coins were later stamped, as reported by Arkeonews.
The mold features a flat surface with round impressions from casting and signs of thermal treatment. Petrographic analysis confirmed that the stone used to create the mold came from a quarry in Porcuna, indicating the availability of local resources for ancient industrial tool production.
Analysis using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy revealed traces of a copper-lead alloy in the impressions on the mold. Researchers linked it to the production of bronze coins dated between 189 and 165 BC. This was part of one of the first series of coins minted by the city.
The iconography of these coins reflected the integration into the Roman economic system and depicted agricultural motifs symbolizing the local economy’s dependence on grain production.
The discovery of the mold near the city’s fortifications raises questions about the location of the mint. Similar finds in other areas of Roman Spain have shown that coin minting workshops could have been situated in peripheral areas under the control of local magistrates or military leaders.
Why Is This Discovery Important?
This mold not only provides insight into the technological aspects of coin production but also reflects the socio-economic changes brought about by Roman expansion. The coins from the 2nd century BC bear inscriptions in both Iberian and Latin letters, demonstrating the gradual adoption of Roman administrative practices by indigenous communities. The mold found at Obulco serves as a tangible indicator of the transformations experienced by Iberian cities as they integrated into the Roman imperial system.
This remarkable discovery partially fills an ancient archaeological gap regarding the geographical distribution of Roman-period mints in Spain and paves the way for new research on this topic.
By shedding light on the intricacies of coin production, this find significantly contributes to our understanding of the complex economic, political, and social dynamics that influenced the Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula. As researchers delve deeper into studying artifacts like this mold, they gain a clearer picture of how ancient societies adapted to Roman influence.