The coin as a historical source

Each and every coin is enmeshed in a network of political, economic and artistic relationships. Metal and weight not only define the value of a coin, they also contain clues as to ongoing trade relations. Mint marks reflect the nature of administrative structures. The coin image represents the ruler or the political community that holds the right of coinage, often also providing information as to the reigning form of government and religious background. Thus every coin allows us to draw conclusions about the past.