Websites and Online Publications by Peter van Alfen
Hellenistic Royal Coinages (HRC)(https://numismatics.org/hrc/) is a National Endowment for the Hum... more Hellenistic Royal Coinages (HRC)(https://numismatics.org/hrc/) is a National Endowment for the Humanities funded project based at the American Numismatic Society in New York City. HRC is a web-based resource for users to learn about, research, and conduct different types of analyses on the coinages produced by the different dynasties and rulers of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East during the Hellenistic period (ca. 323–31 BC). These include the coins struck by (and in the name of) Alexander the Great and those struck by his successors, such as the Seleucids in the Near East and the Ptolemies in Egypt.
(https://numismatics.org/pella/) As a component of the National Endowment for the Humanities funde... more (https://numismatics.org/pella/) As a component of the National Endowment for the Humanities funded Hellenistic Royal Coinages project, PELLA is an innovative research tool aiming, among other things, to provide a comprehensive typology and catalogue of the coinages struck by the Macedonian kings of the Argead dynasty (c. 700–310 BC), arguably the most influential coinages of the ancient Greek world. Fueled first by indigenous precious metal mines in their native Macedonia, and later by the spoils of their conquests, including the rich treasures of the Persian Empire, the Argeads’ numismatic output was monumental. For centuries after their deaths, coins in the name of Philip II (ruled 359–336 BC) and Alexander the Great (ruled 336–323 BC) continued to be produced by successor kings, civic mints, and imitators from Central Asia to Central Europe. The coinage of the Argeads themselves and that produced in their names has been extensively studied, but to date no comprehensive, easily accessible catalogue of their coinages exists. PELLA is designed to fill that gap, cataloguing the individual coin types of the Argead kings from Alexander I (ruled 498–454 BC), the first of the Macedonian kings to strike coins, down to Philip III Arrhidaeus (ruled 323–317 BC), the last of the titular kings to do so. Included as well as are the numerous posthumous civic and successor coinages struck in the names of the kings.
The current version of PELLA provides links to examples of the coinage (in the name) of Alexander the Great and Philip III Arrhidaeus present in a dozen collections located in the United States and Europe (see Contributors). The PELLA project currently focuses on the coinage (in the name of) Alexander III and Philip III, using reference numbers from Martin Price's The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus , London 1991, as the means of organizing the coinages from various institutions. The next stage will focus on the coinage (in the name of) Philip II, using Le Rider, Le monnayage d'argent et d'or de Philippe II frappé en Macédoine de 359 a 294 , 1977, as the means of organizing the coinages. Pella will then focus on the coinages of Alexander I to Perdiccas III using SNG ANS as the means of organizing the coinages from various institutions.
As part of the National Endowment of the Humanities funded Hellenistic Royal Coinages project, An... more As part of the National Endowment of the Humanities funded Hellenistic Royal Coinages project, Antigonid Coins Online (AGCO) is a new research tool that will provide wide access to the coins listed in various print typologies of the coinages produced by the Hellenistic Antigonid dynasty (306–168 BC). This first version of AGCO, launched in July 2020, features only the coinage of Demetrius I Poliorcetes (r. 294–287 BC) based on the typology published in Edward T. Newell’s 1927 volume, The Coinages of Demetrius Poliorcetes with cross-references as well to those types in the name of Alexander III of Macedon catalogued by Martin Price in his 1991 volume The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus . Future versions of AGCO will incorporate the coinages of additional Antigonid kings. While the coins of Demetrius in the ANS collection serve as the core of the current searchable catalogue, links to coins (many of which are unique) in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the British Museum, the Munzkabinett der Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and other public and private collections, are also available.
(https://numismatics.org/pco/) As part of the National Endowment for the Humanities funded Helleni... more (https://numismatics.org/pco/) As part of the National Endowment for the Humanities funded Hellenistic Royal Coinages project, Ptolemaic Coins Online (PCO) is a new research tool that will ultimately provide wide access to the coins listed in the print volumes of Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire by Catharine C. Lorber, the first attempt to provide a new, comprehensive standard typology and catalogue for the coinage produced by the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt since Ioannis Svoronos’s Τα νομίσματα του κράτους των Πτολεμαίων published in 1904–1908. The print volumes of Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire will eventually appear in four parts: Volume I appeared in 2018 covering the gold and silver coinage (Part I) and bronze coinage (Part II) of Ptolemy I (r. 323–282 BC) through Ptolemy IV (r. 221–204 BC). Volume II covering the gold and silver coinage (Part I) and bronze coinage (Part II) of Ptolemy V (r. 203–181 BC) through Cleopatra VII (r. 51–30 BC) is expected to appear in print by 2020. The current version of PCO, released in December 2018, covers the coinage found in Volume I, Part I of Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire; in early 2019 PCO will be updated to include the coins found in Volume I, Part II. Subsequent updates to PCO will occur when Volume II of Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire is released.
While the Ptolemaic coins in the ANS collection (some 3,371 pieces) serve as the core of the searchable catalogue, an effort will be made to illustrate all types in the database, ultimately with links to coins in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the British Museum, the Münzkabinett der Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and other public and private collections.
(https://numismatics.org/sco/) In January, 2018, the American Numismatic Society launched Seleucid... more (https://numismatics.org/sco/) In January, 2018, the American Numismatic Society launched Seleucid Coins Online. At the time it was announced that the development of Seleucid Coins Online (SCO) would take place in two parts in imitation of the print volumes, Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalogue by Arthur Houghton, Catharine Lorber, and Oliver Hoover, published in two parts in 2002 and 2008 by the American Numismatic Society and Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. The first part, by Houghton and Lorber, presented and interpreted all the numismatic material for Seleucus I to Antiochus III known up to 2002. The second part, by Houghton, Lorber, and Hoover, did the same for the Seleucid kings from Seleucus IV to Antiochus XIII. In total, more than 2,491 primary coin types were published in these volumes.
This current version of SCO (v.2), launched in November, 2018, completes the type corpus incorporating material related to Seleucid Coins, Part I, covering the reigns from Seleucus I to Antiochus III (c. 320–187 BC), and the material in Part II covering the reigns from Seleucus IV to Antiochus XIII (187–64 BC) as well as the posthumous Roman imitations (63–14/13 BC). Note that the numbering system of SCO now corresponds fully to the print publications; the numbering system used in SCO v.1 has been deprecated.
As part of the National Endowment for the Humanities funded Hellenistic Royal Coinages project, Seleucid Coins Online (SCO) is a new research tool that will provide wide access to the coins listed in the print volumes of Seleucid Coins—not only the entries in the main catalogue, but also pieces presented separately in the appendices (e.g., plated issues, non-Seleucid coins bearing Seleucid countermarks, etc.). While the Seleucid coins in the ANS collection (some 5,129 pieces) serve as the core of the searchable catalogue, all types in the original publications will be included in the database, ultimately with links to coins (many of which are unique) in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the British Museum, the Munzkabinett der Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and other public and private collections. When necessary, entries in the catalogue will provide corrections to descriptions and interpretation with explanatory commentary by Oliver Hoover. Links to relevant bibliography in DONUM, the ANS online library catalogue, and eventually to articles are envisioned for the future in order to make Seleucid Coins Online virtually a one-stop research tool for Seleucid numismatics.
CoinHoards is a component of the National Endowment for the Humanities funded Hellenistic Royal C... more CoinHoards is a component of the National Endowment for the Humanities funded Hellenistic Royal Coinages project developed by the American Numismatic Society (ANS). An innovative research resource, CoinHoards provides primary data and other information on 2,387 hoards of coins produced by Greeks and other non-Roman peoples in the Mediterranean and adjacent regions between ca. 650 and 30 BCE. In addition to a basic description, users will find on the page devoted to each hoard mapping tools for the findspot and mint(s) where the coins found in the hoard were produced, bibliographical references, and a list of the hoard contents. Where possible, each type of coin listed is linked to a typological description, such as those found on PELLA, Seleucid Coins Online, and Ptolemaic Coins Online. Additional links are provided where possible to relevant resources associated with the hoard, which might include the MANTIS record of individual coins from the hoard held in the ANS collection, ANS publications, the notebooks of Edward T. Newell, and associated correspondence, notes, and archival material.
The current version of CoinHoards is based on the print publication Inventory of Greek Coin Hoards, edited by Margaret Thompson, Otto Mørkholm, and Colin Kraay published in 1973 by the ANS for the International Numismatic Commission. Future versions of CoinHoards will incorporate material from the print publications Coin Hoards, vols. 1–10, published by the Royal Numismatic Society, and more recently by both the Royal Numismatic Society and the ANS. For more information about the viability of this database with regard to statistical and geographic analyses, please see our Statement of Completeness and Accuracy.
(www.numismatics.org/aod) Art of Devastation is a new catalogue and research tool designed to hel... more (www.numismatics.org/aod) Art of Devastation is a new catalogue and research tool designed to help in the identification, cataloguing, and contextualization of the abundant and varied types of non-monetary numismatic items issued during and immediately after the First World War (1914-1918). These items include art medals, commemorative medals, and tokens, but do not include military decorations. Art of Devastation aims to be the first comprehensive, easily searchable, linked data catalogue of the c.10,000 different types of medals and tokens produced in response to this major conflict.
(https://numismatics.org/pocketchange/) The ANS Magazine, currently edited by Peter van Alfen, is... more (https://numismatics.org/pocketchange/) The ANS Magazine, currently edited by Peter van Alfen, is published four times a year as a benefit for American Numismatic Society members and features articles written by the curatorial staff and other contributors on variety of numismatic and economic topics. The Magazine also provides news about activities at the Society.
Books, Edited Volumes, Dissertation by Peter van Alfen
For further information see https://numismatics.org/store/whitegold/
More than 1700 numismatic items related to the history of ophthalmology, optics, and the eye are ... more More than 1700 numismatic items related to the history of ophthalmology, optics, and the eye are described along with a short biography of the depicted person or institution. Biographies of the artists who sculpted or designed the items are also included. Of the items, nearly 1650 are depicted in their original size and in full color.
This volume represents the first comprehensive look at ancient Arabian coinage in toto since Geor... more This volume represents the first comprehensive look at ancient Arabian coinage in toto since George Hill’s 1922 British Museum catalogue. In addition to a catalogue and updated typologies of Philistian, Nabataean, Minaen, Qatabanian, Sabaean, Himyarite, and Gerrhean coinages, among others, and die studies of the owl and Alexander imitations, this volume features essays written by numismatists, archaeologists, and epigraphists that situate the coins within their political, social, and economic contexts. As these studies demonstrate, the beginnings of coinage in Arabia followed two very distinct traditions, the first along a line running roughly from Gaza on the Mediterranean coast to the Hadhramawt on the Arabian Sea, the other in eastern Arabia, running along the Persian Gulf coast from the mouth of the Euphrates to the Oman peninsula.
An expanded special edition in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the American Numismatic So... more An expanded special edition in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the American Numismatic Society. This anniversary volume is the largest ever AJN with over 600 pages of text plus 117 plates written by over 30 contributors, including Curators and Trustees, past students and visiting scholars in the ANS's Graduate Summer Seminar, as well as recipients of the ANS’s Archer M. Huntington award for outstanding career contributions to numismatics. Deserving special mention is Edward T. Newell’s (1886–1941) posthumous contribution, "Coins from the Excavations at Beisan (Nysa-Scythopolis, Tel Beth Shean): 1929–1935." One of the preeminent numismatists of his and subsequent generations, Newell was an ANS President, Huntington Medal recipient, and stands among the Society’s greatest benefactors. It is most fitting that his lost manuscript was discovered and edited in time for inclusion in this anniversary volume.
Offered to John H. Kroll on his retirement from the University of Texas at Austin, this volume fe... more Offered to John H. Kroll on his retirement from the University of Texas at Austin, this volume features essays on Greek coinage, exchange, and polis economies from the Archaic to Hellenistic periods. Included in the collection are studies that explore aspects of Homeric and Archaic exchange, the law of sale, and cavalry costs. Other studies examine the social, economic and historical contexts of coinages from Abdera, Athens, "Lete," Lydia, Mylasa, and Side, and present new interpretative approaches to "cooperative" coinage and those from archaeological sites.
This study seeks to ascertain the identification and origins of the commodities in trade between ... more This study seeks to ascertain the identification and origins of the commodities in trade between the Levant and Aegean during the Persian period, ca. 540-330 B.C. Using Semitic and Greek textual sources, as well as numismatic, epigraphic and archaeological evidence, I identify and discuss nearly 200 commodities, including spices, pigments, dyes, chemicals, and manufactured items such as coinage and ceramics. In the final chapter, a synthesis of the material is presented along with the historic and economic conclusions for Persian period trade that can be drawn from the assembled evidence.
Exhibition Catalogues by Peter van Alfen
See: https://numismatics.org/store/sma3/
Timed to coincide with the centennial of US involveme... more See: https://numismatics.org/store/sma3/
Timed to coincide with the centennial of US involvement in the
First World War, the exhibition, The Art of Devastation, opened
on January 27, 2017 at the Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar
College. Jointly curated by Patricia Phagan (Vassar) and Peter
van Alfen (ANS), this exhibition explored for the first time on
American soil the intertwined roles of posters and medals in
shaping public opinion of the war and in steering Americans
into it. This 356 page companion volume includes six chapters focusing on
Great War art and propaganda by experts in medallic and graphic
arts of the early 20th century, followed by a complete, full-color
catalog of the 130 medals and posters featured in the exhibit.
In 2008, the American Numismatic Society (ANS) moved from its location at 140 William Street into... more In 2008, the American Numismatic Society (ANS) moved from its location at 140 William Street into its new home at 75 Varick Street in NewYork City. This same year, the ANS celebrates its sesquicentennial, while its sister organization, the NewYork Numismatic Club celebrates its centennial. To commemorate both anniversaries, and to underscore the continuing close relationship between both organizations, for its inaugural exhibition in the new location, the Society hosts the Club's One Hundre6 yeirs of Solicitude: Collectingby the New York I'{umismatic Club. As the ANS evolved from a local coliectors'group into an international scholarly organization with a numismatic collection, library, and permanent staff, a void was created for numismatists in Newyork City, which the Club sought to fill. Over the years, there has been much cooperation and membership overlap between the two organizatiotrs. The CIub has met every month since its founding on December 11, 1908, through wars ,blizzards, hurricanes, heat waves, epidemics, stock market crashes, depressions, recessions, and terrorist attacks. A good dinner is followed by a presentation on a numismatic topic (often quite an abstruse one), and then by exhibits on the topics of the evening. Since November 1955, a medal has been awarded each month for the best exhibit. The exhibits can be quite remarkablefor exampie, the U.S. $50 goid pieces (the "haif unions"), which William H. Woodin (see ,{.6 below) had bought from Stephen K-Nagy (and then had to give back to the U.S. Mint), were first exhibited at the CIub on lune 11, 1909. The Cl;bt great success is partiy ascribed to a strict rule of no commercial business-no auctions, no sales, no mention even of price. The Club has also fostered numismatic research, publishing a list of Newyork store cards in 1913, and encouraging club president Daniel Valentine's production of a list of fractional currency. Raphael Solomon and Oscar Schilke collaborated on the book that became America's Foreign Coins after viewing Schilke's exhibit at the Club (for which he won the medal in March 1956). In his first address to the ANS as president, on lanuary 20, 1917, Edward T. Newell (who would serve as president of the Club as well, see A.9 below), discerned the functions of the two organizations: This Society can and ought no longer to consider itself a club. That we have now outgrown. A comparatively recent but very active child now holds this position and calls for recognition. Our Society's younger brother, the New York Numismatic Club, furnishes its memberi, month by month, the greatest enjoyment that mortal man of numismatic tendencies could wish for in his lighter moments. Such of our members who have not joined shoulcl do so irnmediately, for there they will find good cheer, many of their numismatic friends, and cozy sociability. We take this occasion to extend to our brother the very best wishes for a happy and prosperous New year! This exhibition and catalogue were made possible by the generosity of Club members and Alain Baron of Numismatica Genevensis SA. The CIub thanks the staff of the ANS for their time and expertise, particularly the editors of this catalogue, Richard Witschonke ancl Peter van Alfen, as well as Robert Hoge, Ute Wartenberg Kagan, Andrew Meadows, Elena Stolyarik and Mrigerref Yetim. portions of this catalogue were written by the individual object contributors. All photographs are by Alan Roche. AII objects are 1:1 unless otherwise indicated. ONe HuNnnpo Yeens or SorrcrrunE I. NEWYORK NUMISMATIC CLUB MEDALS Since the Club's founding, it has been a tradition to honor its Presidents with portrait medais, struck in bronze, silver, and sometimes gold. These medals form a fitting gallery of those who have served the Club over its long history.
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Websites and Online Publications by Peter van Alfen
The current version of PELLA provides links to examples of the coinage (in the name) of Alexander the Great and Philip III Arrhidaeus present in a dozen collections located in the United States and Europe (see Contributors). The PELLA project currently focuses on the coinage (in the name of) Alexander III and Philip III, using reference numbers from Martin Price's The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus , London 1991, as the means of organizing the coinages from various institutions. The next stage will focus on the coinage (in the name of) Philip II, using Le Rider, Le monnayage d'argent et d'or de Philippe II frappé en Macédoine de 359 a 294 , 1977, as the means of organizing the coinages. Pella will then focus on the coinages of Alexander I to Perdiccas III using SNG ANS as the means of organizing the coinages from various institutions.
While the Ptolemaic coins in the ANS collection (some 3,371 pieces) serve as the core of the searchable catalogue, an effort will be made to illustrate all types in the database, ultimately with links to coins in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the British Museum, the Münzkabinett der Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and other public and private collections.
This current version of SCO (v.2), launched in November, 2018, completes the type corpus incorporating material related to Seleucid Coins, Part I, covering the reigns from Seleucus I to Antiochus III (c. 320–187 BC), and the material in Part II covering the reigns from Seleucus IV to Antiochus XIII (187–64 BC) as well as the posthumous Roman imitations (63–14/13 BC). Note that the numbering system of SCO now corresponds fully to the print publications; the numbering system used in SCO v.1 has been deprecated.
As part of the National Endowment for the Humanities funded Hellenistic Royal Coinages project, Seleucid Coins Online (SCO) is a new research tool that will provide wide access to the coins listed in the print volumes of Seleucid Coins—not only the entries in the main catalogue, but also pieces presented separately in the appendices (e.g., plated issues, non-Seleucid coins bearing Seleucid countermarks, etc.). While the Seleucid coins in the ANS collection (some 5,129 pieces) serve as the core of the searchable catalogue, all types in the original publications will be included in the database, ultimately with links to coins (many of which are unique) in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the British Museum, the Munzkabinett der Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and other public and private collections. When necessary, entries in the catalogue will provide corrections to descriptions and interpretation with explanatory commentary by Oliver Hoover. Links to relevant bibliography in DONUM, the ANS online library catalogue, and eventually to articles are envisioned for the future in order to make Seleucid Coins Online virtually a one-stop research tool for Seleucid numismatics.
The current version of CoinHoards is based on the print publication Inventory of Greek Coin Hoards, edited by Margaret Thompson, Otto Mørkholm, and Colin Kraay published in 1973 by the ANS for the International Numismatic Commission. Future versions of CoinHoards will incorporate material from the print publications Coin Hoards, vols. 1–10, published by the Royal Numismatic Society, and more recently by both the Royal Numismatic Society and the ANS. For more information about the viability of this database with regard to statistical and geographic analyses, please see our Statement of Completeness and Accuracy.
Books, Edited Volumes, Dissertation by Peter van Alfen
Exhibition Catalogues by Peter van Alfen
Timed to coincide with the centennial of US involvement in the
First World War, the exhibition, The Art of Devastation, opened
on January 27, 2017 at the Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar
College. Jointly curated by Patricia Phagan (Vassar) and Peter
van Alfen (ANS), this exhibition explored for the first time on
American soil the intertwined roles of posters and medals in
shaping public opinion of the war and in steering Americans
into it. This 356 page companion volume includes six chapters focusing on
Great War art and propaganda by experts in medallic and graphic
arts of the early 20th century, followed by a complete, full-color
catalog of the 130 medals and posters featured in the exhibit.
The current version of PELLA provides links to examples of the coinage (in the name) of Alexander the Great and Philip III Arrhidaeus present in a dozen collections located in the United States and Europe (see Contributors). The PELLA project currently focuses on the coinage (in the name of) Alexander III and Philip III, using reference numbers from Martin Price's The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus , London 1991, as the means of organizing the coinages from various institutions. The next stage will focus on the coinage (in the name of) Philip II, using Le Rider, Le monnayage d'argent et d'or de Philippe II frappé en Macédoine de 359 a 294 , 1977, as the means of organizing the coinages. Pella will then focus on the coinages of Alexander I to Perdiccas III using SNG ANS as the means of organizing the coinages from various institutions.
While the Ptolemaic coins in the ANS collection (some 3,371 pieces) serve as the core of the searchable catalogue, an effort will be made to illustrate all types in the database, ultimately with links to coins in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the British Museum, the Münzkabinett der Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and other public and private collections.
This current version of SCO (v.2), launched in November, 2018, completes the type corpus incorporating material related to Seleucid Coins, Part I, covering the reigns from Seleucus I to Antiochus III (c. 320–187 BC), and the material in Part II covering the reigns from Seleucus IV to Antiochus XIII (187–64 BC) as well as the posthumous Roman imitations (63–14/13 BC). Note that the numbering system of SCO now corresponds fully to the print publications; the numbering system used in SCO v.1 has been deprecated.
As part of the National Endowment for the Humanities funded Hellenistic Royal Coinages project, Seleucid Coins Online (SCO) is a new research tool that will provide wide access to the coins listed in the print volumes of Seleucid Coins—not only the entries in the main catalogue, but also pieces presented separately in the appendices (e.g., plated issues, non-Seleucid coins bearing Seleucid countermarks, etc.). While the Seleucid coins in the ANS collection (some 5,129 pieces) serve as the core of the searchable catalogue, all types in the original publications will be included in the database, ultimately with links to coins (many of which are unique) in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the British Museum, the Munzkabinett der Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and other public and private collections. When necessary, entries in the catalogue will provide corrections to descriptions and interpretation with explanatory commentary by Oliver Hoover. Links to relevant bibliography in DONUM, the ANS online library catalogue, and eventually to articles are envisioned for the future in order to make Seleucid Coins Online virtually a one-stop research tool for Seleucid numismatics.
The current version of CoinHoards is based on the print publication Inventory of Greek Coin Hoards, edited by Margaret Thompson, Otto Mørkholm, and Colin Kraay published in 1973 by the ANS for the International Numismatic Commission. Future versions of CoinHoards will incorporate material from the print publications Coin Hoards, vols. 1–10, published by the Royal Numismatic Society, and more recently by both the Royal Numismatic Society and the ANS. For more information about the viability of this database with regard to statistical and geographic analyses, please see our Statement of Completeness and Accuracy.
Timed to coincide with the centennial of US involvement in the
First World War, the exhibition, The Art of Devastation, opened
on January 27, 2017 at the Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar
College. Jointly curated by Patricia Phagan (Vassar) and Peter
van Alfen (ANS), this exhibition explored for the first time on
American soil the intertwined roles of posters and medals in
shaping public opinion of the war and in steering Americans
into it. This 356 page companion volume includes six chapters focusing on
Great War art and propaganda by experts in medallic and graphic
arts of the early 20th century, followed by a complete, full-color
catalog of the 130 medals and posters featured in the exhibit.
with cancer, in which he displayed his typical good cheer and immense fortitude, came to an end on 24 February 2015. Now as a Gedenkschrift, we hope that this volume will serve as a fitting tribute to an exceptional individual.