This groundbreaking discovery at the archaeological site of Obulco, modern-day Porcuna, reveals the earliest known stone mold used for coin production

This significant finding was first reported by La Brújula Verde, highlighting the importance of the discovery in understanding ancient monetary practices.

Researchers have uncovered the earliest known stone mold used for coin production in the Roman province of Hispania, at the archaeological site of Obulco, modern-day Porcuna. This mold, which was used to create coin blanks during the 2nd century BCE, is one half of a bivalve mold and measures approximately 11 cm in height, 13.7 cm in length, and 5.4 cm in width. It has a flat surface with circular casting marks and signs of thermal use, indicating its role in the coin-making process. Petrographic analysis confirmed that the stone used for its manufacture originated from the local geological unit of Porcuna.

The mold was discovered in a suburban area near the city's fortifications, raising questions about the mint's location within Obulco's urban layout. Similar findings at Carteia, another identified mint, suggest that minting workshops may have been situated in peripheral areas under local magistrates' or military control.

Obulco, a key city in the Upper Guadalquivir region during the Iberian and Roman periods, was one of the most active mints in southern Hispania, issuing coins from the late 3rd century to the 1st century BCE. The city's coins are known for their iconography, which reflects Obulco's integration into the Roman economic system.

During the period of the Roman Republic, several mints emerged across the Iberian Peninsula, usually issuing coins regularly or sporadically from the late 3rd century to the 1st century BCE. However, despite the wealth of coin emissions, tangible evidence of these production workshops is scarce, often limited to coins themselves found in various archaeological contexts.

This scarcity has posed challenges in precisely locating the mints, mapping the production chain, and understanding the social structures surrounding these artisanal spaces.

The recently uncovered mold is a significant contribution to the study of monetary practices in Republican Hispania. It provides valuable insights into the technical aspects of coin production, showcasing the craftsmanship involved in creating the raw metal discs that would later be stamped into coins.

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry analysis revealed a binary copper-lead alloy in the mold's metallic impressions, consistent with the compositions found in coins from Obulco. Researchers have linked this mold to the production of bronze asses dated between 189 and 165 BCE, placing it within one of the first coin series issued by the city.

This discovery is sure to spark further research into the locations and operations of these critical economic spaces in Republican Hispania.

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