This course examines what one particular kind of artifact, coins, can tell us about society in Greece and Rome. We investigate ancient coins from economic, political, historical, and artistic points of view, proceeding historically from Archaic Greece to Imperial Rome. In addition to the uses of coins, the various technologies for the production of metal coinage will be treated.

The course focuses on a collection of 1,500 coins owned by Vassar College and a virtual catalogue of these coins available online at oldmoney.vassar.edu. The process and considerations of preparing a museum exhibit of ancient objects will, therefore, also be treated in depth. The class will together design a exhibit of ancient coins for the Art Center, and each student will also create his or her own virtual exhibit from the collection. Students will develop a basic competence in both electronic research and in electronic (web-database) publication as part of this course. Help, workshops, and research tools are all available in the Media Cloisters on the second floor of the library. We will probably meet informally in this space several times during the semester.

Statement from the Office of Disability and Support Services: "Academic accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities. Please schedule an appointment with the instructor early in the semester to discuss any accommodation that may be needed for the course. All accommodations must be approved through the Office of Disability and Support Services (ext. 7584) as indicated in their accommodation letter."