All that Glistens? The Role(s) of Gold Coinage in Northern Europe, c.1250-1550

Abstract

Shifting flows of gold and silver played a central role in the economic history of the medieval and modern world, and were an important factor in the re-introduction of gold coinages in Europe during the 13th and 14th centuries. While the impact of the late medieval ‘return to gold’ has long been debated by historians, the contribution of archaeologists – and particularly those working on northern Europe – has been rather more muted. Nevertheless, a growing body of material evidence offers new opportunities to re-assess the fundamental questions. Who used gold coins in late medieval northern Europe? What did they use gold for? And, crucially, to what extent did the shift from silver to gold impact their economic and social lives – if it did at all?

The Medieval Seminar Series is sponsored by the World Archaeology Section at the UCL Institute of Archaeology and the British Museum. 

• The programme for the 2024-25 Institute of Archaeology/British Museum Medieval Seminar Series is available here»

Seminar Series Convenors:

• Sue Brunning (British Museum)
• Andrew Reynolds (Institute of Archaeology)