The Numismatic Collection of the Ancient History Department consists of nearly 1,000 coins, spanning from the 6th century BC to the early 7th century AD . Since 2015, a permanent loan from the Episcopal Cathedral and Diocesan Museum of Mainz (Bischöfliches Dom- und Diözesanmuseum Mainz) has enhanced the coin collection with 220 Greek and Roman coins, as well as two Roman glass paste intaglios.
The collection’s roots lie in the personal collection of former chairholder Hans-Ulrich Instinsky (1907–1973). In 1974 and in 1984, the Department of Old History acquired a total of 368 coins from his collection. His collection spanned all periods of antiquity, making it an ideal foundation for building a broad-based teaching collection.
Although Roman Imperial coins from the Principate period form the core of the collection, there is also strong representation from Greek city-states, the Hellenistic era, the Roman Republic, and Late Antiquity. A small number of coins from the Persian Empire and ancient Jewish regions are also included, along with a few Renaissance-era forgeries minted by Giovanni Cavino in Padua.
The coins play an active role in the teaching of Ancient History, featured not only in general courses but also in specific numismatic exercises.
From the Collection
A matter of opinion!
The Enigmatic Bull
