The D'Argenio Collection of Coins and Antiquities Part 1

One of Seton Hall University’s most distinguished collections, the D’Argenio Collection of Coins and Antiquities, includes coins of ancient Greece, the Roman Republic, the Roman Empire and Byzantium as well as a small collection of related artifacts: oil lamps, game pieces, weights and terra cotta figurines. Donor Ron D’Argenio became interested in ancient coins when taking courses in Greek drama and history as an undergraduate at Fordham University in the 1970’s. In 2001, he generously donated his collection to Seton Hall University in memory of his father, Rinaldo J. D’Argenio, who served in World War II and was awarded a Bronze Star for his valor. Ron D’Argenio is a practicing attorney working in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The collection is available for study and research by students and scholars.

Advent of coins

Long before coins became a form of exchange, gold and silver were used for trade across the ancient world. Without any standardized units of measure, these precious metals had to be weighed at the time of each transaction. This cumbersome process of verification led to the advent of coinage backed by a governing authority. It is generally understood that the first coins in the west were minted in the kingdom of Lydia, which is in present-day Turkey, in the 7th century B.C.E. Persia and ancient Greek city states soon began using coins for commerce. This Greek Arrowhead coin is one of the oldest examples in the D’Argenio Collection of Coins and Antiquities.

Coins as historical evidence

Coins are some of the most important sources of information about nations, people and cultures. Because coins were made of durable materials, they survive in larger numbers than most artifacts. Archaeologists and historians have come to rely on coins to reconstruct the past using the dates, images and inscriptions to aid in reconstructing cultures from which little else endures.

How coins were made

The making of coins was a complicated undertaking that required many of laborers and craftsmen. Before coins could be minted, metals had to be mined and processed. The metals were then either molten and poured or hammered between dies. The images contained on the dies were made by skilled craftsmen. A team of experienced laborers could strike up to 20,000 coins daily. This coin features the likeness of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. The irregularly shaped blank resulted the design being cut off on the upper right when struck.

Early coins from ancient Greece

Some of the most interesting, though crudely formed examples of coins in the collection include this dolphin coin from Olbia, an ancient Greek settlement on the Black Sea (present-day Ukraine.) This busy trade outpost was, and still is, habitat to large populations of bottle-nosed dolphins. Scholars speculate that the Olbians may have placed a spiritual significance on the dolphin, leading to this unusually shaped currency.

Coins and power

Early on, ruling classes realized the power of money to convey their authority and principles across vast regions. The front of coins often featured portraits of leaders, while the reverse might reflect personal, religious or political beliefs. In a time without printing presses or mass media, this might be the only opportunity for a leader to connect with their subjects. This quadrans of Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of the Roman Republic, also features an eagle on its reverse, symbolizing imperial rule. The symbol of the eagle endures today and is used on heraldry and coinage throughout the world, including that of the United States of America.

Coins and value

The silver denarius was the standard monetary unit of the Roman Empire. Its value was tied initially to the weight and purity of the silver it contained. Over time, as the empire fell into decline, emperors began to debase the intrinsic value of coinage. The emperor Nero (54-68 C.E.) lowered the weight of coins during his rule to balance deficits. Successive emperors followed suit. Within 150 years or so, the denarius was devalued to the point that it contained less than 50% silver. This tetradrachm coin featuring the head of Nero in profile is a silver/copper alloy and was circulated in the region of Alexandria, Egypt during Nero’s reign.

Coins and religion

Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. He decreed it as the state religion and pronounced tolerance for its followers. This large bronze coin, or Christ Follis, was issued in the Middle Ages. Instead of depicting the emperor, it features a likeness of Christ seated on a throne wearing a crown and vestments, his right hand raised in a blessing. The first coins with Christ’s likeness were gold, and as the empire began to struggle financially, the coins were later minted in bronze.

Lucius Julius Caesar

was a Roman statesman and lauded general. He commanded several Roman legions during wartime. This coin features the image of Mars, god of war, wearing a crested helmet - a symbol of victory and leadership.

Antony and Octavian

The Battle of Actium was the decisive confrontation in the final civil war of the Roman Republic. Marc Antony betrayed the Romans by siding with Queen Cleopatra of Egypt against Octavian’s forces who represented Rome’s interests. Octavian triumphed. This front of this coin depicts the bust of Marc Antony and the reverse depicts the bust of Octavian prior to the dissolution of their alliance.

Lucius Furia Brocchus

The Furia family (or gens) was one of the oldest and most distinguished in the Roman Republic. This coin was minted when Lucius Furius Brocchus was moneyer. This family held many of the highest offices. The obverse of this coin features the bust of Ceres, goddess of agriculture and fertility. She is flanked by her attributes; on the left, an ear of corn and to her right, a grain of barley.