Astronomy and Coins

1. Astronomy and coins
Douglas Scott
Ubc May 2019

2. Astronomy and coins
Douglas Scott
Ubc May 2019

3. Astronomy and coins
Douglas Scott
Ubc May 2019

7. Are there any connections between
these two sides of Harvey?

8. Astronomical symbols are easy to find on coins

9. Stars
Astronomical symbols are easy to find on coins

10. Stars
Suns
Astronomical symbols are easy to find on coins

11. Stars
Suns
Moons
Astronomical symbols are easy to find on coins

12. Stars
Suns
Moons
Astronomical symbols are easy to find on coins

13. Stars
Suns
Moons
Black hole
Astronomical symbols are easy to find on coins

15. John A. Galt Telescope, DRAO

16. Observatoire
du Mont Mégantique
John A. Galt Telescope, DRAO

17. Observatoire
du Mont Mégantique
John A. Galt Telescope, DRAO
Burke-Gaffney
Observatory

18. Are astronomers like numismatists?

19. Star-gazers Coin-collectors
Are astronomers like numismatists?

20. Star-gazersCoin-collectors
Are astronomers like numismatists?

21. Are astronomers like numismatists?

22. •Both fields go back 1000s of years
Are astronomers like numismatists?

23. •Both fields go back 1000s of years
•In both areas, keen amateurs have an
important role to play
Are astronomers like numismatists?

24. •Both fields go back 1000s of years
•In both areas, keen amateurs have an
important role to play
•Royal Numismatic Society established in 1836
Are astronomers like numismatists?

25. •Both fields go back 1000s of years
•In both areas, keen amateurs have an
important role to play
•Royal Numismatic Society established in 1836
•First meeting held in rooms of the Royal
Astronomical Society
Are astronomers like numismatists?

26. •Both fields go back 1000s of years
•In both areas, keen amateurs have an
important role to play
•Royal Numismatic Society established in 1836
•First meeting held in rooms of the Royal
Astronomical Society
•Sir Isaac Newton Warden and then Director
of the Royal Mint 1696-1725
Are astronomers like numismatists?

27. •Both fields go back 1000s of years
•In both areas, keen amateurs have an
important role to play
•Royal Numismatic Society established in 1836
•First meeting held in rooms of the Royal
Astronomical Society
•Sir Isaac Newton Warden and then Director
of the Royal Mint 1696-1725
•Sir John Herschel also Master of the Royal
Mint 1850-55
Are astronomers like numismatists?

28. Isaac Newton
Master of the Royal Mint
1696−1727
Medallic portrait of
Newton by John Croker,
Chief Engraver of the Mint
during the greater part of
Newton’s Mastership

29. Isaac Newton
Master of the Royal Mint
1696−1727
Medallic portrait of
Newton by John Croker,
Chief Engraver of the Mint
during the greater part of
Newton’s Mastership
•Meaningfully contributed to
the administration of the Mint,
but made no major reforms
•But he helped improve the
accuracy of composition and
weight − and was unbribable
(which was unusual!)
•Set the guinea at 21 shillings
•Executed counterfeiters
•Played a part in introducing
milled edges
Newton:

30. Isaac Newton
Master of the Royal Mint
1696−1727
Medallic portrait of
Newton by John Croker,
Chief Engraver of the Mint
during the greater part of
Newton’s Mastership
•Meaningfully contributed to
the administration of the Mint,
but made no major reforms
•But he helped improve the
accuracy of composition and
weight − and was unbribable
(which was unusual!)
•Set the guinea at 21 shillings
•Executed counterfeiters
•Played a part in introducing
milled edges
Five-guinea piece
of 1703 made from
gold seized from a
Spanish treasure
fleet
Newton:

31. Coins come in different metals and sizes

32. What do we do with these?

33. SmallBig
Goldish Silverish Bronzeish

34. SmallBig
Goldish Silverish Bronzeish

35. What do we do with these?

37. “HR” diagram

38. The similarity of mindsets has long
been appreciated

39. PASP,1891

40. Marshall Faintich

41. •PhD in astronomy
•Cartographer by
profession
•Enthusiastic numismatist,
bird photographer and
historian
Marshall Faintich

42. •PhD in astronomy
•Cartographer by
profession
•Enthusiastic numismatist,
bird photographer and
historian
Marshall Faintich
•Makes the case that
astronomical events are
more common on ancient
coins than generally
believed

43. Miletos, 600-500 BC
Mysia, 200−100 BC
Caria, 395−377 BC Kampanoi, 344−336 BC
Polemon of Pontus, 36 BC
Uranopolis, c.300 BC Apulia, 250−200 BC
Roman empire, 318−319 Byzantium, 527−565
Sun symbols on ancient coins

44. Melos, 500−416 BC Athens, 500−400 BC
Languedoc, 1224−1265 Metz, 14th C
Uranopolis, 3rd C BC
Moon symbols on ancient coins

45. Stars and planets on ancient coins
The Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) Rome, 82−96 (7 planets?)

46. Stars and planets on ancient coins
The Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) Rome, 82−96 (7 planets?)
Knossos, maze with Sun Knossos, maze with pellets
Pellets sometimes represented planets

47. Stars and planets on ancient coins
The Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) Rome, 82−96 (7 planets?)
Knossos, maze with Sun Knossos, maze with pellets
Celtic coins, 10−61 (planetary conjunctions or constellations?)
Pellets sometimes represented planets

48. Stars and planets on ancient coins
The Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) Rome, 82−96 (7 planets?)
Knossos, maze with Sun Knossos, maze with pellets
Celtic coins, 10−61 (planetary conjunctions or constellations?)
Pellets sometimes represented planets

49. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)

50. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)

51. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)
Charles II
(before and after the eclipse of 1630?)

52. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)
Charles II
(before and after the eclipse of 1630?)

53. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)
Charles II
(before and after the eclipse of 1630?)
Alfonso I
(1084 eclipse and victory at Toledo?)

54. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)
Charles II
(before and after the eclipse of 1630?)
Alfonso I
(1084 eclipse and victory at Toledo?)

55. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)
Charles II
(before and after the eclipse of 1630?)
Alfonso I
(1084 eclipse and victory at Toledo?)
Alfonso I, 1081-1092
(partial eclipse of 1084?)

56. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)
Charles II
(before and after the eclipse of 1630?)
Alfonso I
(1084 eclipse and victory at Toledo?)
Alfonso I, 1081-1092
(partial eclipse of 1084?)

57. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)
Charles II
(before and after the eclipse of 1630?)
Alfonso I
(1084 eclipse and victory at Toledo?)
Alfonso I, 1081-1092
(partial eclipse of 1084?)
AachenSwitzerland Catalonia
(Major eclipse of 1153 across Europe)

58. Eclipses (stars, mullets, annulets, crescents)
Macedonia, 196−179 BC
(Battle of Magnesia and 190 BC eclipse?)
Gaul, 2nd cent. BC
(eclipse of 190, 188, 174 or 163 BC?)
Charles II
(before and after the eclipse of 1630?)
Alfonso I
(1084 eclipse and victory at Toledo?)
Alfonso I, 1081-1092
(partial eclipse of 1084?)
AachenSwitzerland Catalonia
(Major eclipse of 1153 across Europe)

59. Why are there astronomical
symbols on ancient coins?

60. •Coins were used for propaganda
Why are there astronomical
symbols on ancient coins?

61. •Coins were used for propaganda
(remember: most people were illiterate)
Why are there astronomical
symbols on ancient coins?

62. •Coins were used for propaganda
(remember: most people were illiterate)
•Rulers wanted to associate themselves with the divine
Why are there astronomical
symbols on ancient coins?

63. •Coins were used for propaganda
(remember: most people were illiterate)
•Rulers wanted to associate themselves with the divine
•Ancient people were much more aware of the sky that
modern people
Why are there astronomical
symbols on ancient coins?

64. •Coins were used for propaganda
(remember: most people were illiterate)
•Rulers wanted to associate themselves with the divine
•Ancient people were much more aware of the sky that
modern people
•Astrology was widely believed
Why are there astronomical
symbols on ancient coins?

65. •Coins were used for propaganda
(remember: most people were illiterate)
•Rulers wanted to associate themselves with the divine
•Ancient people were much more aware of the sky that
modern people
•Astrology was widely believed
•Astronomical events were considered as omens:
Why are there astronomical
symbols on ancient coins?

66. •Coins were used for propaganda
(remember: most people were illiterate)
•Rulers wanted to associate themselves with the divine
•Ancient people were much more aware of the sky that
modern people
•Astrology was widely believed
•Astronomical events were considered as omens:
eclipses, comets, planetary alignments, etc.
Why are there astronomical
symbols on ancient coins?

67. Comets (stars, combs, epsilons and triangles)
Champagne (12th C.)
Are the “combs” actually comets?

68. Comets (stars, combs, epsilons and triangles)
Champagne (12th C.)
Are the “combs” actually comets?
Halley’s
comet from
Bayeux
tapestry
Sens,
France
(11th C.)

69. Comets (stars, combs, epsilons and triangles)
Bohemia
( 966−999)
Champagne (12th C.)
Are the “combs” actually comets?
Halley’s
comet from
Bayeux
tapestry
Sens,
France
(11th C.)
Eudon, France
(12th C.)
Brittany
(13th C.)
Burgundy
(c.1300)

70. Comets (stars, combs, epsilons and triangles)
Bohemia
( 966−999)
Champagne (12th C.)
Are the “combs” actually comets?
Halley’s
comet from
Bayeux
tapestry
Sens,
France
(11th C.)
Eudon, France
(12th C.)
Brittany
(13th C.)
Burgundy
(c.1300)

71. Conjunctions, etc.
Julius II (360−363)
Venus and Mars in Taurus
Roman coin (217−215 BC)
Venus and Mars in Taurus
20 April 360
10 March 217 BC
17 January 44 BCClodius, Rome (42 BC)

72. Conjunctions, etc.
Julius II (360−363)
Venus and Mars in Taurus
Roman coin (217−215 BC)
Venus and Mars in Taurus
20 April 360
10 March 217 BC
Hadrian (125−138)
Moon near Pleiades
Sancho I, Iberia (1126−1157)
Multiple eclipses?
Champagne (mid-12th C.)
Comet + annular eclipses?
17 January 44 BCClodius, Rome (42 BC)

73. Complications

74. •There may be other explanations for apparently
astronomical symbols (political, religious, heraldic,
minter’s mark, etc. or just looked good!)
Complications

75. •There may be other explanations for apparently
astronomical symbols (political, religious, heraldic,
minter’s mark, etc. or just looked good!)
•“Immobilization” − the fact that designs could continue
for decades, and some design elements for centuries
Complications

76. •There may be other explanations for apparently
astronomical symbols (political, religious, heraldic,
minter’s mark, etc. or just looked good!)
•“Immobilization” − the fact that designs could continue
for decades, and some design elements for centuries
•Difficulty in assigning importance to an astronomical
event (since it was subjective, and related to the
context of the contemporary culture)
Complications

77. •There may be other explanations for apparently
astronomical symbols (political, religious, heraldic,
minter’s mark, etc. or just looked good!)
•“Immobilization” − the fact that designs could continue
for decades, and some design elements for centuries
•Difficulty in assigning importance to an astronomical
event (since it was subjective, and related to the
context of the contemporary culture)
•Poor quality (and quantity) of the source material −
(it’s an observational rather than experimental science)
− you only have the data you have!
Complications

78. English coins of William I and William II

79. English coins of William I and William II
There are many types identified,
how do we know what order and dates to assign?

82. Research questions?

83. •Are there alternative (non-astronomy) explanations for
some of the symbols?
Research questions?

84. •Are there alternative (non-astronomy) explanations for
some of the symbols?
•Who designed and minted coins − was there an
association with court astrologers (hence explaining the
preponderance of astronomical events)?
Research questions?

85. •Are there alternative (non-astronomy) explanations for
some of the symbols?
•Who designed and minted coins − was there an
association with court astrologers (hence explaining the
preponderance of astronomical events)?
•Astronomy sometimes helps understand coins − could
it sometimes happen the other way around?
Research questions?

86. •Are there alternative (non-astronomy) explanations for
some of the symbols?
•Who designed and minted coins − was there an
association with court astrologers (hence explaining the
preponderance of astronomical events)?
•Astronomy sometimes helps understand coins − could
it sometimes happen the other way around?
•What about non-Eurocentric views?
Research questions?

87. “Ujjain” symbol − is this astronomical?
Ancient India

88. “Ujjain” symbol − is this astronomical?
Crescent moon symbols Other symbols!
Ancient India
Ancient China

89. Even better − old Scottish coins!
Coins of David II (1329−1371)

90. Lots of connections between
astronomy and coins!

91. Lots of connections between
astronomy and coins!
You can find more on the internet!

92. Canadian astronomer, avid coin collector
pens book on rare Newfoundland gold coins

93. Canadian astronomer, avid coin collector
pens book on rare Newfoundland gold coins
After spending time sitting behind some of the world’s largest telescopes −
including having time allotted on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope − and
peering into the heavens, you wouldn’t think Canadian astronomer Harvey
Richer would have much interest in a little down-to-earth pocket change from
Newfoundland’s past.

94. Astronomers commemorated on coins
and medals
Johannes Kepler
(1571−1630)
Tycho Brahe
(1546−1601)
Regiomontanus
(1436−1476)
Yuriy Drohobych
(1450−1494)
William Herschel
(+ John & Caroline)
(1738−1822)
Friedrich Wilhelm Basel
(1784−1846)
Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers
(1758−1840)
Urbain Le Verrier
(1811−1877)