Summary
A microdrilling method and apparatus have been developed for the representative sampling of inhomogeneous ancient coins. By drilling through the cylindrical surface of coins a more average sample can be obtained than with surface sampling techniques. This drilling process leaves barely visible holes on the cylindrical surface of the coin, while the faces are unaffected. The technique has been successfully applied to 4th–5th century Roman bronze quadrantes. Preliminary analytical data, obtained by atomic-absorption spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and wet chemistry, show quite different compositions for the three coins analysed. Photomicrographic examination shows clear evidence of the inhomogeneity and the need for averaging sampling.
Zusammenfassung
Ein Verfahren wurde entwickelt, inhomogene alte Münzen zwecks Gewinnung repräsentativer Proben mit einem Mikroapparat anzubohren. Indem man die Münze an der zylindrischen Seitenfläche anbohrt, erhält man einen besseren Durchschnitt als Probe. So bleibt die ebene Fläche der Münze unversehrt und das Bohrloch kaum sichtbar. Römische Bronzequadranten aus dem 4.–5. Jahrhundert wurden mit Hilfe dieser Technik untersucht. Vorläufige Ergebnisse der Atomabsorptionsspektroskopie, der energiedispersiven Röntgentechnik, der nassen chemischen Untersuchung zeigen eine durchaus verschiedene Zusammensetzung dreier untersuchter Münzen. Die mikrophotographische Untersuchung erweist deutlich die Inhomogenität und damit die Notwendigkeit, Durchschnittsproben zu verwenden.
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Szonntagh, E.L. Sampling method for representative elemental analysis of non-homogeneous coins. Mikrochim Acta 75, 191–205 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01196389
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01196389