Historical Significance of the Gold Coin
The gold coin, despite its modest size of three-quarters of an inch in diameter and weighing a mere sixth of an ounce, serves as a powerful symbol of authority. Minted around A.D. 800 in Constantinople, it features the Byzantine Empress Irene on both sides, adorned with a crown that has a cross atop it, holding a crucifix in one hand and an orb with a cross in the other. This coin mirrors a previous issue that depicted her alongside her son and co-ruler, Constantine VI. However, in a notable power move in 797, Irene had her son captured, blinded, and confined to solidify her position as the empire’s sole leader, according to Teresa Shawcross, an associate professor specializing in history and Hellenic studies at Princeton.
Religious and Cultural Context
Interestingly, a small perforation on one edge of the coin hints at a deeper layer of Byzantine history. Irene’s husband, Leo IV, who married her in 768 and passed away in 780, was known for opposing the veneration of icons in Christian worship. In stark contrast, Irene was a staunch supporter of this practice, which she helped to integrate into Orthodox Christianity. The hole may indicate that a devotee wore the coin as a necklace and kissed the image of Irene, treating it as an icon. According to Grace Chung, a student of Shawcross utilizing the coin for her thesis, this particular minting from around 800 sends a definitive message: “I am the empress.” It embodies a robust representation of power, authority, and Christian governance.
Princeton’s Byzantine Coin Collection
The solidi, gold coins established by Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, remained in circulation for over six centuries. These coins are part of a vast collection of more than 20,000 Byzantine coins housed at Princeton, which boasts the largest known collection of such artifacts globally. These historical items are more than just relics of a past empire; they encapsulate shifts in political authority, religious practices, and gender dynamics. Advancements in digital technology are making these coins accessible to researchers worldwide, providing tangible links to the history of late antiquity.
Acquisition of the Collection
Princeton’s Byzantine coin collection was primarily amassed in three significant acquisitions, as noted by Alan Stahl, curator of the university’s numismatics collection located in the Firestone Library. Between 1932 and 1939, the university sponsored an excavation in the ancient city of Antioch, now in modern-day Turkey, resulting in a trove of around 24,000 coins from that expedition, of which about 3,000 are Byzantine. In 2016, the library purchased 5,280 coins from Peter Donald, a retired British government worker whose collection had been highly regarded for decades. A notable figure in the coin collecting community, Chris B. Theodotou, passed away in 1987 while socializing with Donald, and last year, Theodotou’s family sold Princeton a collection of 11,256 coins primarily from the Byzantine period, spanning from A.D. 500 to A.D. 1453. An impressive majority, over 90%, of Princeton’s Byzantine coins are made of bronze, with the university investing around $500,000 for these two acquisitions. The Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies provided half of the funding, while the Friends of Princeton University Library supported the purchases.
Digitization and Cataloging Efforts
In addition to the financial outlay for acquiring the coins, Stahl emphasized the importance of considering the total cost of ownership. The expenses extend beyond mere acquisition; they include the costs associated with cataloging and digitizing the 18,000 coins. Princeton is not solely focused on amassing the collection but is also committed to establishing a scholarly framework that allows for online sharing of the collection. The goal is to make all Byzantine coins, including those featuring Irene and Constantine VI, accessible online, as well as the entirety of Princeton’s numismatic collection, which consists of 115,000 coins, tokens, medals, and banknotes. So far, approximately 15,000 of these items have been digitized and are searchable through the library’s website.
Student Involvement and Educational Impact
Princeton has brought on board Elena Baldi, a specialist in Byzantine coins, to supervise the cataloging process, which also involves undergraduate students who work on various aspects of the numismatic collection for an hourly wage of $17.50. Grace Chung, for instance, has been cataloging coins from various historical periods, including the Roman Empire and the Carolingian Empire. She expressed that engaging with these historical artifacts offers a unique research experience, allowing one to connect with a narrative that stretches back to the coin’s minting.
The Role of Coins in Historical Research
Coins serve multiple purposes in historical research, as highlighted by Jack Tannous, an associate professor of history and Hellenic studies at Princeton. He noted their crucial role in economic history, as they provide insights into state authority and governance. Understanding the dynamics of the Byzantine economy, along with how the government and its emperors portrayed themselves, is greatly aided by the study of coins. Many professors, including Tannous, utilize the numismatics collection in their classes, emphasizing that holding a coin once used for transactions in the Roman Empire creates a profound connection to the past.
