Long Table 198. The “Missing” Third Century? Cosa’s Coins during the Middle Republic

The Latin colony of Cosa has a long history of occupation, spanning its foundation in 273 BCE to intermittent Medieval settlements, which is reflected in the broad numismatic material from the site. However, while architectural and archaeological materials remain elusive for the first century of its existence, two small issues of struck bronze coinage were minted by the colony between 273 and 250 BCE. Melissa Ludke, PhD Candidate at Florida State University and 2023 Chairman’s Fellowship recipient, will explore how these coins, supposedly minted by the colony of Cosa, and their distribution patterns tie into other archaeological material from the site that dates from the mid to late Republic. She will demonstrate how Cosa likely tapped into pre-existing socio-economic networks and interacted with its regional neighbors during the town’s evolution throughout the middle Republic.