NOMISMATA ANNUAL WORKSHOP (IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE)
The NOMISMATA database, developed at the Department of Humanities of the University of Trieste, is a geo- and chrono-referenced repository of Byzantine coin finds (whether single, from excavations, or hoards) within or beyond the former territories of the empire. Accessible at NOMISMATA Database [1], it currently includes over 220,000 Byzantine coins (as well as 500 seals) dating from approximately 500 to 1453, gathered from around 1,500 sites across the Mediterranean and beyond. The database provides numismatic data–such as weight, description, nominal value, metal, mint, and chronology–alongside contextual and
bibliographic references, which are accessible in their original format within copyright limits. The project remains open and freely available to the scholarly community, allowing users to upload and download data in CSV format independently. Scholars from former Byzantine territories and neighboring regions actively contribute, with ongoing efforts to coordinate and upload data related to Anatolian finds.
As part of this initiative, an annual Workshop on Byzantine Numismatics and Sigillography is being organized at the University of Trieste, under the coordination of Dr. Luca Zavagno and the supervision of Prof. Bruno Callegher and Dr. Andrea Gariboldi. This workshop provides comprehensive training in numismatic and sigillographic methods, including the study of bibliography, coin and seal analysis, and their significance in Byzantine political, economic, and artistic history. Participants engage in hands-on sessions, learning to handle, read, and date Byzantine coins and seals, ensuring that material from Anatolian excavations is
effectively integrated into the Nomismata Database.
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BILKENT STUDENTS
Starting in 2025, the workshop will be held annually, with the University of Trieste offering two fully funded scholarships for Bilkent University grad students. These scholarships cover:
✅ Workshop fees
✅ Round-trip flights to Trieste
✅ Accommodation and meals
This opportunity allows students to gain invaluable practical experience in Byzantine numismatics and sigillography while actively contributing to an international research project.