History of Medieval and Modern Coins
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a framework of the history of medieval and modern coinage by directing students to bibliographical, lexical, written and numismatic sources and research methods. A suitable knowledge of the material will be made possible through practical experience with a collection of ancient, medieval and modern coins combined with the materials examined in the course.
Expected learning outcomes
The course presents students with materials and methods for the study of medieval and modern coinage: given the nature of coins, which circulate across human culture, one observes the wide picture of Italy and the Mediterranean which can be compared with other parts of Europe. The study of coins as metal documents makes it possible to capture historical aspects relevant to the fields of political economy, political culture, law, iconography, technology and even ritual and devotion. The written sources are numerous (merchant, literary texts, money changer books, mint ordinances, diaries, etc.); numismatic sources can also be treasures or coins from excavation or collection. With practical examples related to diverse regions and periods, students will be able to verify in practice the methodologies and research possibilities in the field, always relating back to written and numismatic sources. The course is set within a framework of continuous participation and dialogue, as well as with materials entrusted to students for personal exploration to be exhibited in the classroom. There will be seminary activities based on both the collections of coins and specific written sources, which are to be examined from time to time. At the end of the course, students will be able to place the main monetary phenomena of the long period under consideration within a contextual framework, and to navigate through the bibliographical and critical analysis of the most recent research.
Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to participate in practical exercises with coins by booking with the instructor; additionally, they can arrange suggested readings to deepen their knowledge by contacting the instructor by email or during office hours.
Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to participate in practical exercises with coins by booking with the instructor; additionally, they can arrange suggested readings to deepen their knowledge by contacting the instructor by email or during office hours.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: Microcosms of History: Coins as Sources for Medieval and Modern History
Module 1: Research methodology and methods: numismatic, written and archaeological sources. Overview of the History of Italian and European Coinage between the Early Middle Ages and the Modern Age.
Module 2: Text and images: coins as means of communication of power; comparison with seals. Material and technique, production and circulation: coins as medium and tool of medieval and modern economies.
Module 3: Economic and 'non-economic' uses of coins: coins for the study of social and cultural aspects; 'ritual' uses of coins, tokens and seals. Monetary uses of other artefacts (tokens, jetons, documents); counting, changing, pricing in the merchants 'pratiche' and in other medieval texts.
Module 1: Research methodology and methods: numismatic, written and archaeological sources. Overview of the History of Italian and European Coinage between the Early Middle Ages and the Modern Age.
Module 2: Text and images: coins as means of communication of power; comparison with seals. Material and technique, production and circulation: coins as medium and tool of medieval and modern economies.
Module 3: Economic and 'non-economic' uses of coins: coins for the study of social and cultural aspects; 'ritual' uses of coins, tokens and seals. Monetary uses of other artefacts (tokens, jetons, documents); counting, changing, pricing in the merchants 'pratiche' and in other medieval texts.
Prerequisites for admission
Students will have a basic knowledge of medieval and modern history, and ability to read and understand Italian and English languages. Latin not required.
Teaching methods
The lecturer will illustrate the role of coins by placing them in their historical, geographical, and iconographic context, showing their use by sovereigns and commoners, lay and clerics, and their relationships with the artistic production of the time. The economic functions and other non-economic uses of coins will also be illustrated in the context of the political, social and cultural history of the medieval and modern age.
Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through frontal lectures with the aid of images and slide presentations aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge, skills and language specific of the subject matter. Discussion with the teacher in the classroom is an integral part of the teaching method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge.
The teaching is also based on multimedia material provided on Ariel. In addition to frontal lectures, classroom exercises with coins (medieval and modern coins from the teaching collection), team works and/or individual presentations are planned.
Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through frontal lectures with the aid of images and slide presentations aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge, skills and language specific of the subject matter. Discussion with the teacher in the classroom is an integral part of the teaching method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge.
The teaching is also based on multimedia material provided on Ariel. In addition to frontal lectures, classroom exercises with coins (medieval and modern coins from the teaching collection), team works and/or individual presentations are planned.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
- Programme for 9 cfu
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1, 2 and 3)
Textbooks and other texts:
Module 1
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapters 1-6, pp. 11-146; (errata-corrige pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- C.M. Cipolla, Le avventure della lira, Bologna, Il Mulino 1975, pp. 13-76 (or other editions ).
In addition, one of the following texts:
- A. Rovelli, From the Fall of Rome to Charlemagne (c.400- 800), in R. Naismith (ed.), Money and Coinage in the Middle Ages, Leiden, Brill 2018, pp. 63-92 (available in open access pdf format: https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004383098/BP000006.xml);
- P. Spufford, Money and its use in Medieval Europe, Cambridge 1988, Chapter 2 pp. 27-54, or Chapter 5, pp. 109-131 (in part available on Google Books platform).
Module 2
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapters 7-9, 11, pp. 149-208, 221-256.
- A. Finetti, Numismatica e tecnologia. Produzione e valutazione della moneta nelle società del passato, Roma, NIS 1987, Chapters 2,3, pp. 21-134.
Plus ,one of the following texts:
- M. Baldassarri, Le monete di Lucca. Dal periodo longobardo al Trecento, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), All'Insegna del Giglio 2021, Chapters 3-4, pp. 41-100 (available in open access pdf format: https://www.insegnadelgiglio.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/monoarc-134-ebook-libro.pdf);
- P. Spufford, Money and its use in medieval Europe, Cambridge 1988, Chapters 6,7, pp. 132-186 (parzialmente disponibile su Google Books);
- L. Travaini, I capelli di Carlo il Calvo. Indagine sul ritratto monetale nell'Europa medievale, Roma, Quasar 2013, Chapters 11 e 12, pp. 243-276 (errata-corrige pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi).
Module 3
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapter 12, pp. 257-281.
- L. Travaini, Monete mercanti e matematica: Le monete medievali nei trattati di aritmetica e nei libri di mercatura, Roma, Jouvence 2020, pp. XI-XL, 35-81.
Plus, one of the following texts:
- M. Baldassarri, I rinvenimenti monetali nelle chiese italiane (VII-XVII secolo): un primo bilancio e qualche considerazione di metodo, "Archeologia medievale" 47 (2020), pp. 29-48 (pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- L. Travaini, a cura di, Valori e disvalori simbolici delle monete. I trenta denari di Giuda, Roma, Quasar 2009, pp. 13-78, 231-263.
- M. Mitchiner, A. Skinner, English tokens, c. 1200 to 1425, "British Numismatic Journal" 53 (1983), pp. 29-77 (free download from the British Numismatic Society website:
https://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital%20BNJ/pdfs/1983_BNJ_53_7.pdf ).
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1 and 2)
Textbooks and other texts as indicated for 9 Cfu, modules 1 and 2, but:
Module 1
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2007, Chapters 1-5, pp. 11-134 (NO end Chapter 5).
Module 2
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2007, Chapters 7, 9, 11, pp. 149-180, 193-208, 221-256.
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 9 cfu
Knowledge of textbooks and other texts:
Module 1
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapters 1-6, pp. 11-146; (errata-corrige pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- C.M. Cipolla, Le avventure della lira, Bologna, Il Mulino 1975, pp. 13-76 (or other editions).
Plus, two of the following texts:
- A. Rovelli, From the Fall of Rome to Charlemagne (c.400- 800), in R. Naismith (ed.), Money and Coinage in the Middle Ages, Leiden, Brill 2018, pp. 63-92 (available in open access pdf format: https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004383098/BP000006.xml);
- P.R. Rössner, From the Black Death to the New World (c.1350- 1500), in R. Naismith (ed.), Money and Coinage in the Middle Ages, Leiden, Brill 2018, pp. 63-92 (available in open access pdf format: https://brill.com/display/book/9789004383098/BP000009.xml );
- P. Spufford, Money and its use in Medieval Europe, Cambridge 1988, Chapter 2 pp. 27-54, or Chapter 5, pp. 109-131 (partly available on Google Books).
Module 2
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapters 7-9, 11, pp. 149-208, 221-256.
- A. Finetti, Numismatica e tecnologia. Produzione e valutazione della moneta nelle società del passato, Roma, NIS 1987, Chapters 2,3, pp. 21-134.
Plus, two of the following texts:
- M. Baldassarri, Le monete di Lucca. Dal periodo longobardo al Trecento, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), All'Insegna del Giglio 2021, Chapters 3-4, pp. 41-100 (available in open access pdf format: https://www.insegnadelgiglio.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/monoarc-134-ebook-libro.pdf);
- P. Spufford, Money and its use in medieval Europe, Cambridge 1988, Chapters 6,7, pp. 132-186 (partly available on Google Books);
- L. Travaini, I capelli di Carlo il Calvo. Indagine sul ritratto monetale nell'Europa medievale, Roma, Quasar 2013, Chapters 11, 12, pp. 243-276 (errata-corrige pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi).
Module 3
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapter 12, pp. 257-281.
- L. Travaini, a cura di, Valori e disvalori simbolici delle monete. I trenta denari di Giuda, Roma, Quasar 2009, pp. 13-78, 231-263.
- L. Travaini, Monete mercanti e matematica: Le monete medievali nei trattati di aritmetica e nei libri di mercatura, Roma, Jouvence 2020, pp. XI-XL, 35-81.
Plus, two of the following texts:
- M. Baldassarri, I rinvenimenti monetali nelle chiese italiane (VII-XVII secolo): un primo bilancio e qualche considerazione di metodo, "Archeologia medievale" 47 (2020), pp. 29-48 (pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- A. De Gasperi, La moneta in tomba nella Toscana centro-settentrionale tra Alto- e Basso-medioevo, "Archeologia Medievale", XXXIX (2012), pp. 337-354 (pdf available on Academia.edu platform): https://www.academia.edu/3217945/La_moneta_in_tomba_nella_Toscana_centro_settentrionale_tra_Alto_e_Bassomedioevo );
- L. Travaini, a cura di, Valori e disvalori simbolici delle monete. I trenta denari di Giuda, Roma, Quasar 2009, pp. 13-78, 231-263.
- M. Baldassarri, M. Burresi, Stemmi, animali ed altre bizzarrie. Tessere mercantili e gettoni di Moisè Supino, Edizioni Pisa, ETS 2003 (pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- M. Mitchiner, A. Skinner, English tokens, c. 1200 to 1425, "British Numismatic Journal" 53 (1983), pp. 29-77 (pdf available on the British Numismatic Society website: https://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital%20BNJ/pdfs/1983_BNJ_53_7.pdf ).
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Textbooks and other texts as indicated for 9 Cfu, modules 1 and 2, but:
Module 1
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2007, Chapters 1-5, pp. 11-136.
Module 2
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2007, Chapters 7, 9, 11, pp. 149-180, 193-208, 221-256.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
- Programme for 9 cfu
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1, 2 and 3)
Textbooks and other texts:
Module 1
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapters 1-6, pp. 11-146; (errata-corrige pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- C.M. Cipolla, Le avventure della lira, Bologna, Il Mulino 1975, pp. 13-76 (or other editions ).
In addition, one of the following texts:
- A. Rovelli, From the Fall of Rome to Charlemagne (c.400- 800), in R. Naismith (ed.), Money and Coinage in the Middle Ages, Leiden, Brill 2018, pp. 63-92 (available in open access pdf format: https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004383098/BP000006.xml);
- P. Spufford, Money and its use in Medieval Europe, Cambridge 1988, Chapter 2 pp. 27-54, or Chapter 5, pp. 109-131 (in part available on Google Books platform).
Module 2
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapters 7-9, 11, pp. 149-208, 221-256.
- A. Finetti, Numismatica e tecnologia. Produzione e valutazione della moneta nelle società del passato, Roma, NIS 1987, Chapters 2,3, pp. 21-134.
Plus ,one of the following texts:
- M. Baldassarri, Le monete di Lucca. Dal periodo longobardo al Trecento, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), All'Insegna del Giglio 2021, Chapters 3-4, pp. 41-100 (available in open access pdf format: https://www.insegnadelgiglio.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/monoarc-134-ebook-libro.pdf);
- P. Spufford, Money and its use in medieval Europe, Cambridge 1988, Chapters 6,7, pp. 132-186 (parzialmente disponibile su Google Books);
- L. Travaini, I capelli di Carlo il Calvo. Indagine sul ritratto monetale nell'Europa medievale, Roma, Quasar 2013, Chapters 11 e 12, pp. 243-276 (errata-corrige pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi).
Module 3
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapter 12, pp. 257-281.
- L. Travaini, Monete mercanti e matematica: Le monete medievali nei trattati di aritmetica e nei libri di mercatura, Roma, Jouvence 2020, pp. XI-XL, 35-81.
Plus, one of the following texts:
- M. Baldassarri, I rinvenimenti monetali nelle chiese italiane (VII-XVII secolo): un primo bilancio e qualche considerazione di metodo, "Archeologia medievale" 47 (2020), pp. 29-48 (pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- L. Travaini, a cura di, Valori e disvalori simbolici delle monete. I trenta denari di Giuda, Roma, Quasar 2009, pp. 13-78, 231-263.
- M. Mitchiner, A. Skinner, English tokens, c. 1200 to 1425, "British Numismatic Journal" 53 (1983), pp. 29-77 (free download from the British Numismatic Society website:
https://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital%20BNJ/pdfs/1983_BNJ_53_7.pdf ).
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1 and 2)
Textbooks and other texts as indicated for 9 Cfu, modules 1 and 2, but:
Module 1
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2007, Chapters 1-5, pp. 11-134 (NO end Chapter 5).
Module 2
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2007, Chapters 7, 9, 11, pp. 149-180, 193-208, 221-256.
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 9 cfu
Knowledge of textbooks and other texts:
Module 1
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapters 1-6, pp. 11-146; (errata-corrige pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- C.M. Cipolla, Le avventure della lira, Bologna, Il Mulino 1975, pp. 13-76 (or other editions).
Plus, two of the following texts:
- A. Rovelli, From the Fall of Rome to Charlemagne (c.400- 800), in R. Naismith (ed.), Money and Coinage in the Middle Ages, Leiden, Brill 2018, pp. 63-92 (available in open access pdf format: https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004383098/BP000006.xml);
- P.R. Rössner, From the Black Death to the New World (c.1350- 1500), in R. Naismith (ed.), Money and Coinage in the Middle Ages, Leiden, Brill 2018, pp. 63-92 (available in open access pdf format: https://brill.com/display/book/9789004383098/BP000009.xml );
- P. Spufford, Money and its use in Medieval Europe, Cambridge 1988, Chapter 2 pp. 27-54, or Chapter 5, pp. 109-131 (partly available on Google Books).
Module 2
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapters 7-9, 11, pp. 149-208, 221-256.
- A. Finetti, Numismatica e tecnologia. Produzione e valutazione della moneta nelle società del passato, Roma, NIS 1987, Chapters 2,3, pp. 21-134.
Plus, two of the following texts:
- M. Baldassarri, Le monete di Lucca. Dal periodo longobardo al Trecento, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), All'Insegna del Giglio 2021, Chapters 3-4, pp. 41-100 (available in open access pdf format: https://www.insegnadelgiglio.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/monoarc-134-ebook-libro.pdf);
- P. Spufford, Money and its use in medieval Europe, Cambridge 1988, Chapters 6,7, pp. 132-186 (partly available on Google Books);
- L. Travaini, I capelli di Carlo il Calvo. Indagine sul ritratto monetale nell'Europa medievale, Roma, Quasar 2013, Chapters 11, 12, pp. 243-276 (errata-corrige pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi).
Module 3
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato 2007, Chapter 12, pp. 257-281.
- L. Travaini, a cura di, Valori e disvalori simbolici delle monete. I trenta denari di Giuda, Roma, Quasar 2009, pp. 13-78, 231-263.
- L. Travaini, Monete mercanti e matematica: Le monete medievali nei trattati di aritmetica e nei libri di mercatura, Roma, Jouvence 2020, pp. XI-XL, 35-81.
Plus, two of the following texts:
- M. Baldassarri, I rinvenimenti monetali nelle chiese italiane (VII-XVII secolo): un primo bilancio e qualche considerazione di metodo, "Archeologia medievale" 47 (2020), pp. 29-48 (pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- A. De Gasperi, La moneta in tomba nella Toscana centro-settentrionale tra Alto- e Basso-medioevo, "Archeologia Medievale", XXXIX (2012), pp. 337-354 (pdf available on Academia.edu platform): https://www.academia.edu/3217945/La_moneta_in_tomba_nella_Toscana_centro_settentrionale_tra_Alto_e_Bassomedioevo );
- L. Travaini, a cura di, Valori e disvalori simbolici delle monete. I trenta denari di Giuda, Roma, Quasar 2009, pp. 13-78, 231-263.
- M. Baldassarri, M. Burresi, Stemmi, animali ed altre bizzarrie. Tessere mercantili e gettoni di Moisè Supino, Edizioni Pisa, ETS 2003 (pdf available in the course area ARIEL-UniMi);
- M. Mitchiner, A. Skinner, English tokens, c. 1200 to 1425, "British Numismatic Journal" 53 (1983), pp. 29-77 (pdf available on the British Numismatic Society website: https://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital%20BNJ/pdfs/1983_BNJ_53_7.pdf ).
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Textbooks and other texts as indicated for 9 Cfu, modules 1 and 2, but:
Module 1
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2007, Chapters 1-5, pp. 11-136.
Module 2
- L. Travaini, Monete e storia nell'Italia medievale, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2007, Chapters 7, 9, 11, pp. 149-180, 193-208, 221-256.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: oral exam.
- Type of examination: an interview on the topics of the syllabus, to ascertain knowledge of method and interpretation, historical-chronological competence and the ability to correctly describe and contextualize the coins illustrated in the texts.
- Evaluation criteria: ability to process acquired knowledge and discursively organise concepts; ability to reflect critically on work undertaken; quality of exposition, competence in the use of the vocabulary of the discipline, communicative effectiveness, and clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
- Other tests that contribute to the final assessment (only for students attending the 9 cfu course): carrying out a research projects related to the topics of modules 2 and 3 of the course on a subject agreed with the lecturer and presentation of the results in the classroom (group work up to a maximum of 3 persons or individual work possible). This will entail a reduction in the texts scheduled for the final oral examination, to be agreed with the lecturer. In this case, the final assessment will consist of the average of this test with the final interview.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as with the relevant office.
- Type of examination: an interview on the topics of the syllabus, to ascertain knowledge of method and interpretation, historical-chronological competence and the ability to correctly describe and contextualize the coins illustrated in the texts.
- Evaluation criteria: ability to process acquired knowledge and discursively organise concepts; ability to reflect critically on work undertaken; quality of exposition, competence in the use of the vocabulary of the discipline, communicative effectiveness, and clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
- Other tests that contribute to the final assessment (only for students attending the 9 cfu course): carrying out a research projects related to the topics of modules 2 and 3 of the course on a subject agreed with the lecturer and presentation of the results in the classroom (group work up to a maximum of 3 persons or individual work possible). This will entail a reduction in the texts scheduled for the final oral examination, to be agreed with the lecturer. In this case, the final assessment will consist of the average of this test with the final interview.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as with the relevant office.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)