草莓污视频导航

Scott Coleman
Scott Coleman, 脟ad谋r H枚y眉k, Yozgat Province, Turkey, 2016. Courtesy Scott Coleman

Nov. 19, 2021

When historical artifacts and modern technology collide

Graduate student takes study of ancient coins a step further with 3D imagery

Cryptocurrencies are attracting a lot of attention these days, but Scott Coleman prefers to focus on money听鈥 the physical kind听鈥 from the distant past. Graduating with a master鈥檚 degree in Greek and Roman Studies, he has a fascination with coins from the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

鈥淣umismatics can provide a link between the modern world and the past,鈥 explains Coleman. 鈥淢oney, specifically coins, are tangible and tactile material culture that all humankind can relate to and share as a common cultural heritage.鈥

Gold Solidus Coins, Nickle Galleries.

Nickle Galleries

Scott Coleman

After completing his BA in history at Memorial University, Coleman moved west to study with Dr. Marica Cassis, PhD, associate professor and head of the Department of Classics and Religion. He soon discovered the treasure trove awaiting him at the 草莓污视频导航, housed in Nickle Galleries: the , one of the most historically significant collections of coins and paper money in Canada. It includes 150 gold and bronze coins that circulated more than 1,000 years ago across the Byzantine Empire鈥檚 territories which included the Balkans, Asia Minor, parts of the Middle East and North Africa.

In the summer of 2020, Coleman was scheduled to conduct field work in Greece, but the COVID-19 pandemic postponed his travel plans. That twist of fate affected his work in an intriguing, positive way. The lockdown forced him to think about how to broaden access to museum artifacts and changed the course of his research.

Gold Solidus of Emperor Justin I, 518-527 CE, Byzantine Empire. NG. 1990.4.18. Nickle Galleries.

Gold Solidus of Emperor Justin I, 518-527 CE, Byzantine Empire. NG. 1990.4.18. Nickle Galleries.

Scott Coleman

鈥淲ith museums and galleries closed, it meant many artifacts were inaccessible to the public,鈥 he explains. 鈥淚 started looking at how museums represent coins and I focused within Greece, given that was the region I was preparing to study for my practicum.鈥

Throughout his research, Coleman delved deep into the Nickle Numismatic Collection, working closely with collections specialist Marina Fischer. Inspired by the use of 3D technology for mapping ancient sites, Coleman realized that creating digital images of the coins would make them more accessible for researchers and the public. He began collaborating with technology specialist Jed Baker in Libraries and Cultural Resources, experimenting with photogrammetry to create 3D images of rare coins.

Silver Denarius of Empress Faustina the Elder, 141-161 CE, Roman Empire. NG.1990.3.79. Nickle Galleries.

Silver Denarius of Empress Faustina the Elder, 141-161 CE, Roman Empire. NG.1990.3.79. Nickle Galleries.

Scott Coleman

鈥淚f you digitize them and create these 3D images, then everyone has access to these coins by exploring them online. They don鈥檛 have to be in a museum display in a 2D format where you only see one side of them. It鈥檚 a great way to start presenting coins to everybody, and it鈥檚 a great way for people to interact with coins.鈥

A continuation of this work could include augmented reality, in which a 3D image is manipulated to more easily study the detailed markings and stunning artwork found on many rare coins. Coleman points to an of this approach that resulted from a project at the Sarajevo Museum.

鈥淓ngaging with collections in this way not only broadens access to historical artifacts but it helps generate interest and attract future researchers to this field of study,鈥 says Coleman. 鈥淭his really is the future of research: the merging of physical collections with technology. The digital humanities are really pushing the boundaries of what鈥檚 possible.鈥

Gold Aureus of Emperor Antoninus Pius, 138-161, Roman Empire. NG. 1991.1.18 Nickle Galleries.

Gold Aureus of Emperor Antoninus Pius, 138-161, Roman Empire. NG. 1991.1.18 Nickle Galleries.

Jed Baker

Coleman鈥檚 time as a grad student at 草莓污视频导航 led to several memorable experiences. In 2019, he co-curated the Nickle Galleries exhibition . Last winter, Coleman shared his practicum experience during the Nickle at Noon presentation and for the Calgary Public Library鈥檚 Ancient World Series titled .

Coleman is now pursuing a PhD in public history at Carleton University and will continue to work with Marina Fischer and the Nickle Numismatic Collection, which will play an important part of his doctoral research.