The application of photon, electron and proton induced X-ray analysis for the identification and characterisation of medieval silver coins

Photons, electrons and protons beams applied to the scientific investigation of archaeological materials provide complementary information for characterising the state of preservation and the provenance of the objects. Investigations were carried out on medieval silver coins of the "Friesacher Pfennig" and the "Tiroler Kreuzer" from the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna and the Oesterreichische Nationalbank. Techniques employed were EDXRF, SEM/EDX and PIXE. By determining the trace elements of the alloys it was possible to assign coins to their mint. The results outline advantages and disadvantages of EDXRF, SEM/EDX and PIXE when applied to corroded objects.