Potin

Potin is a numismatic term, used to denote a base-silver like alloy. It can also be known as Billon. It is debated whether any actual silver is indeed present in Potin.^[1] While the term billon is more commonly applied to ancient Roman coinage, potin is usually used for Greek or Celtic coinage.

Use in Celtic coinage

In 1890, so-called Potin lumps were found, whose largest weights 59.2 kilograms (131 lb) at the Prehistoric pile dwelling settlement Alpenquai in Zürich (Vicus Turicum) in Switzerland. The pieces consist of a large number of fused Celtic coins, which are mixed with charcoal remnants. Some of the about 18,000 coins originate from the Eastern Gaul, others are of the Zürich type, that were assigned to the local Helvetii, which date to around 100 BC. The find is so far unique, and the scientific research assumes that the melting down of the lump was not completed, therefore the aim was to form cultic offerings. The site of the find was at that time at least 50 metres (164 ft) from the lake shore, and probably 1 metre (3 ft) to 3 metres (10 ft) deep in the water.^[2][3]

Composition

Potin is traditionally an alloy of bronze, tin and lead, with varying quantities of each possible.^[1]

References