CAA Conference

Computed tomography is moving to have great potential for archaeological studies, providing both extremely efficient and non-destructive three-dimensional imaging of internal and external structure and content of many types of artefact. This paper, through the recent work completed by the mu-Vis centre at the University of Southampton, will present how computed tomography can be used to accurately record surface and sub-surface data of intact coin hoards. Using working methods, the paper will present new capturing techniques, it will highlight its capability to examine coin placement, its ability to pick out key features and its ability to extract individual coins for use within a virtual environment. Computed tomography within the study of coins can be used to provide a unique method of interpretation through the recognition of individual coins; it offers highly accurate measurements and will enable numismatists to identify coins in great detail.