A simple numeric algorithm for ancient coin dies identification

TL;DR

This paper introduces a straightforward computer algorithm to identify coins from the same die using image analysis, providing a quantitative tool to assist visual inspection of pre-modern coins from auction images.

Contribution

The paper presents a simple, practical algorithm for coin die identification that does not require complex image processing or high-quality images, aiding numismatic analysis.

Findings

Effective in identifying coins from the same die

Applicable to images from auction websites or catalogs

Provides a quantitative measure of similarity

Abstract

A simple computer-based algorithm has been developed to identify pre-modern coins minted from the same dies, intending mainly coins minted by hand-made dies designed to be applicable to images taken from auction websites or catalogs. Though the method is not intended to perform a complete automatic classification, which would require more complex and intensive algorithms accessible to experts of computer vision its simplicity of use and lack of specific requirement about the quality of pictures can provide help and complementary information to the visual inspection, adding quantitative measurements of the "distance" between pairs of different coins. The distance metric is based on a number of pre-defined reference points that mark key features of the coin to identify the set of coins they have been minted from.