Optical recognition of modern and Roman coins

In: Posluschny, A. ; Lambers, K. ; Herzog, I. (Hrsgg.): Layers of Perception. Proceedings of the 35th International Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA), Berlin, 2.-6. April 2007. Koll. Vor- u. Frühgesch. 10. Bonn 2008 172 (Abstract)

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Abstract

The recently granted EU project COINS aims to contribute substantially to the fight against illegal trade and theft of coins that appears to be a major part of the illegal antiques market. A central component of the permanent identification and traceability of coins is the underlying image recognition technology. However, currently available algorithms focus basically on the recognition of modern coins. To date, no optical recognition system for ancient coins has been successfully researched. It is a challenging task to work with medieval coins since they are – unlike modern coins – not mass manufactured. In this project, the recognition of coins will be based on new algorithms of pattern recognition and image processing, in a field – classification and identification of medieval coins – as yet unexplored. Since the project recently started, preliminary results and work already performed in this field are presented and discussed.