Monetary circulation in the mining area Territoria metallorum – case study of the Timacum Minus site

Abstract

Timacum Minus continued as an administrative center of the Territoria metallorum mining area from the middle of the 2nd century until its destruction around the middle of the 5th century. Ever since its foundation at the end of the 1st century an urban settlement had developed around the military fort. The numismatic finds from Timacum Minus fall into two categories: coins from a stratigraphic context and stray finds. By comparing the two categories we propose to test the relevance of stray coin finds analysis when made on its own, the value of stray coins as a sample, and the difference in the circulation of the two categories of finds. The end goal is to determine the influence of socio-economic circumstances on the monetary circulation in this specifically organized area, given the multiple roles of the military stationed in mining areas, who both defended and administered the Territoria metallorum.