X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Late Roman Imperial Coins

摘要

Over 700 late roman imperial coins (end of III century A.D. - beginning of V century A.D.) were analyzed using the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technique. The analysis allowed the semi-quantitative determination of the composition of the coin alloy and a study of its variations in time and from mint to mint; it was also possible to get evidences of possibly fraudulent tampering of some coins for improving their aesthetical aspect and thus increasing their commercial value.