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The Coinage of Romanos III Argyros in the Archaeological Museum in Split
Ivan Marović
Sažetak
A large number of histamenoi (59 coins) of Romanos III Argyros in the Numismatic cabinet of theArchaeological Museum in Split has inspired the author to examine and publish them for the fi rst time.The introductory part gives the survey of numerous gold coinage of the Byzantine emperors from thedestruction of Salonae, i.e from Heraclius’ rule to and including the short rule of Romanos III Argyros (1028– 1034).Comparing the large quantity of Romanos’ histamenoi in the AMS with other collections in the world suchas Dumbarton Oaks, Bibliothèque nationale Paris, British Museum, the author implies the collection of the AMSCabinet to be the largest one concerning the examples of the aforementioned emperor.The information in the AMS about the sites is truly modest; there is actually only one hoard of 23 coinsfrom Klobuk near Ljubuški. Individual fi nds come from Zagvozd, Čaporice, Dugopolje and vicinity of Narona,while for the majority the site is unknown (32). More coins belonging to this emperor were found in theinland Dalmatian area (Ogorje Gornje, Jabuka, Osoj), as well as other places, but they were not purchased bythe AMS (note 14).Examining the coins, the author draws attention to the num ber of dots on loros and gives the surveyof the ones that have 8 dots, 6, 5, 4 or even 3 dots, which is according to the available literature the onlyexample known so far.As far as size and weight are concerned, it can be stated that the largest number of the coins in Splitcollection have diameter between 23,5 and 25 mm, while their weight ranges from 4,31 to 4,40 gr., whichcoresponds well to the coins kept in other museums.As far as dies used for minting of these coins are concerned, the author has labeled them with letters (A-Z,A/A – O/O), and it can be presumed that 39 diff erent dies were used.The author has, according to the possibilities, tried to show as accurately as possible, diff erent forms ofthe letters A, M and w. Also, he has brought to attention the artistic representation of the throne as well as itsvertical surfaces with diff erent number of dots, which gave basis for determining the number of used dies.Particular characteristic of hisamenoi of Romanos III Argyros is that there is a large number that havegraffi ti on them. They can be seen on 44 histamenoi, 25 of them have graffi ti on both sides, 10 only onobverse and 9 on reverse. 15 examples have no graffi ti.Large number of graffi ti on these histamenoi raise a lot of questions: are they perhaps simultaneousto the emission, thus denoting the workshop or perhaps the quality of gold used for minting; or were theymarked later by certain merchants in order to systematize their funds or denote the quality of coins (quantityof copper or silver in them)? For the time being, these questions cannot be answered defi nitely or precisely.The coinage of Romanos III Argyros has exclusively appeared along the coast of the Eastern Adriatic coastor in its hinterland or the part of Herzegovina west of the southern Neretva, starting with Baška on Krk to theunknown site in southern Dalmatia, probably near Dubrovnik. The coinage appears in 28 sites, whether as anindividual fi nd or in a larger group as a hoard. (See the map). According to the available data, the fi nal sumof the found (but not preserved) histamenoi in Croatia and Herzegovina would be 463 coins, but in Croatianmuseums only 81 example is kept (note 32).Histamenon of Romanos III Argyros (1028 – 1034), in the mediaeval documents known as romanatus,was highly valued at that time all over the world as well as within the Croatian state (notes 33-36). However,during the 11th century social and economic circumstances in Croatia greatly improved, which may beone of the reasons why such a large quantity of gold coins from that period could be preserved in diff erentareas (notes 37 – 42). Therefore three groups of sites where coins of this emperor were found, can be formedaccording to their geografi c location: a) around Zadar, b) between the rivers of Krka and Cetina and c) west ofthe southern Neretva which is the area where the largest number of Romanos’ histamenoi were found.
Ključne riječi
histamenoi; Romanos III Argiros; hoard from Klobuk; dots on loros; graffiti
Hrčak ID:
8321
URI
Datum izdavanja:
1.12.2006.
Posjeta: 2.370 *