IL FRAZIONAMENTO MONETALE IN EPOCA MODERNA: ESEMPLARI METALLICI E BANCONOTE

The practice of cutting coins into two or more portions runs through the whole history of coinage. It also concerns metallic coins and paper banknotes in modern times, where it is widespread and varied, with a documentary background un-thinkable for the ancient and medieval world. An overview of modern practice can only be very limited, given the vast area and the wide chronological range involved, the different systems and denominations on which it was carried out, and the societies that made use of it. But it can provide food for thought for scholars interested in ancient and medieval cut coins. In fact, the only evidence available for these periods are the coin portions found at archaeological sites or preserved in public and private collections.