Old Money: Roman Coins and Roman History

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course introduces students to the study of ancient Roman coins, focusing on their use as historical sources and the insights they provide into Roman society, economy, and politics. By examining the production, iconography, and use of Roman coinage, students learn how coins served as tools for propaganda, economic stability, and cultural expression. The course also includes practical sessions where students will work with a collection of Roman coins in the Hesburgh Library to develop skills in numismatic analysis and to closely examine some specimens for the first time. For the final project, students will research a specific coin from our collection and present their findings.