Coins as History

The Roman Coin Collection at the Otago Museum H D Skinner Memorial Lecture, 2020

Despite being on the other side of the planet, Otago Museum houses one of the best ancient coin collections in Australasia. But how did these tiny metal discs make the long journey to Dunedin?

In this talk, Dr Gwynaeth McIntyre, Classics Programme, University of Otago, discusses some of the Roman coins in the Museum's collection; their historical context, the messages they spread, and their significance for our understanding of the Roman world. She will also explore some of the stories behind the key individuals and collectors who gifted these treasures to the museum, many of whose collections came to the museum due to the diligent and thoughtful oversight of H D Skinner.

Dr Gwynaeth McIntyre is a Roman historian whose research focuses on the political, social, and religious history of the ancient world, and the ways in which mythology and religion define particular communities or groups of communities. She examines how messages spread throughout the Roman empire on various media; namely coins, art, and inscriptions. She is also interested in how these messages reach us today, and how their study can help us understand our own experiences of power, propaganda, and identity.

Please note, limited seating and attendee capacity will be in place should COVID-19 social distancing requirements necessitate it. We appreciate your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience.