An unknown Roman emperor has been identified through a scientific investigation of ancient gold coins that had previously been thought to be fakes.
Scholars reexamined their rudimentary design about 1850 and declared them to be forgeries, which in turn raised questions about Sponsian’s authenticity.
But according to recent findings, rather than being the work of the more skilled minters who produced the majority of the coins, the coins’ crude defects may actually be a reflection of their production on the periphery of Roman society.
In 1783, Scottish collector William Hunter left the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow four coins from the treasure, three of which featured the recognized Roman emperors Gordian III and Phillip I and one of which featured Sponsian. When their provenance was questioned, they were banished inside a wooden cabinet and weren’t reviewed until recently.
Scientific study has revealed that they were once in use and then buried for a very long time, providing evidence that they are, in fact, legitimate.
A similar study using high magnification microscopic examination has been done on a coin portraying Sponsian from the trove that is housed at the Brukenthal National Museum in Sibiu, Romania, as a result of this remarkable discovery. The outcomes support the initial discoveries.
“The collaboration with our partners was particularly pleasant and interesting,” said interim manager of the Brukenthal, Alexander Constantin Chituță. “For the history of Transylvania and Romania in particular, but also for the history of Europe in general, if these results are accepted by the scientific community, they will mean the addition of another important historical figure in our history.”
Little is known about Sponsian’s life, despite the fact that it now seems likely that he actually live. Given the location of the coins, it is likely that the military commander was assigned to what is now known as Transylvania, Romania, in the Province of Dacia at the time. He might have been cut off from the rest of the empire due to political unrest and forced to assume the role of emperor in order to maintain order and defend the isolated territory.
Coins were a significant symbol of authority and power during the Roman era, which may be why Sponsian set up their local production.
The four gold coins at the Hunterian and the coin at the Brukenthal will both go on public display now that their provenance has been established.
