Iberian Coinages and the Developing of Colonial Economies in NE Hispania (ca. 150–ca. 70 B.C.E.) (20 min)

Presenter

Alejandro G. Sinner, The University of Victoria 

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the use/role of local, non-Roman currencies as active agents in the development and the integration of the Iberian peoples in a colonial economy. To do so, I will be looking at a series of Iberian coinages minted in NE Spain –with special emphasis on Ilduro and its mint–. The discussed towns were not Roman colonies, but local settlements, without any monetary tradition that minted coins only as a result of the Roman presence. The talk will focus on three aspects: 1) the iconography and legends employed which differ from the Roman ones and have clear indigenous components –including the use of the Iberian language–. A comparison with the coins minted by the colony of Valentia will be of special interest. I will argue that such a design facilitated the adoption of a foreign technology. 2) The production and circulation of these issues. Looking at the use and spread of these series will show how quickly adoption took place at the local and regional scale. 3) Their metallic composition and origin of the metal. Tracing the lead and silver to the large-scale economic and mining enterprises exercised by the societates and Italian gentes operating from Carthago Nova allows connecting the newly generated dependence for metals with the profits from these mining activities, which resulted in a substantial number of Italic families increasing their social status.