Compositional Study of Sassanian Silver Coins Using PIXE Technique Case Study: Hormizd IV of Coins

Subject Areas : Archaeometry

Zohre Jozi ¹ , Mahammsd Amin Saadatmehr ²

1 - Department of Archeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
2 - Department of Archeology, Babolsar University, Mazandaran, Iran

Received: 2024-05-20 Accepted : 2024-08-10 Published : 2024-09-10

Keywords: Sassanian, Hormizd IV, Coins, Silver, PIXE, Darabgerd Mint, Iran,

Abstract :

Studying the elemental composition of coins does not only provide chemical information of the legal tender but provides insight into the manufacturing process, history, and economic state of the country during the minting year of the coins. The elemental composition of some Sassaian coins spanning from the years 582 to 591 AD have been analyzed using PIXE at the Bubansor physical lab of India and metallic the elements Ca, Fe, Cu, Ag, Au, and Pb were observed. The result The study of elemental composition of silver coins in Iran under the Sassanian period can help to explain the locations and identification of coins' mines. By determining not only major but also minor and trace element concentrations, the coin's compositions were used to deduce information both on the economic conditions under the different reigns. The aim of this work is to study the chemical composition of some Hormizd IV coins to show the economic situation and find any relation between the mines used for the extraction of silver and the actual silver coins minted at that time. Using the PIXE technique, the show that Hormizd IV king used almost Cerussite mines for their coins and are brought to light valuable information about the economy of the time.

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