Sources of silver-copper alloys for making jewelry and strap sets from the Belbek I cemetery in Southwestern Crimea

The study of the composition of metal items from the excavations led by N. M. Pechenkin at the Belbek I cemetery in 1903-1905 identified a small group of finds (a belt set and plate finger-rings) made of low-grade silver. These artifacts can be attributed to the category of items of prestige, therefore, probably, precious metal was used for their manufacture, though strongly «diluted» with copper, in some cases, lead and tin. As a result of a comparison of the alloy composition of these finds and the Roman silver coins (antoninians) of the 3rd century AD a cautious assumption can be made that since Roman silver coins did not circulate as monetary units among the local population in Tau-rica, they could be used to make jewelry and accessories. Antoninians reached Taurica together with the Roman military contingent. In a barbarian environment, Roman imperial coins were not used as money but were melted down and served as a material for jewelry, along with other low-grade silver and bronze items in the form of scrap