Le Monete nel Corpo del Beato Jean Bassand (c. 1360-1445). Storiografia e Analisi dei Reperti

Abstract

During the canonical recognition of Jean Bassand’s partially skeletonized mummy, digital X-ray examination and computed tomography scanning revealed the presence of 5 coins from Italian mints (15th-16th century). The coins were recovered endoscopically: in the pelvis 3 quattrini of the Republic of Florence (one of which with signs of withdrawal from circulation) dating after 1472, and 1 cavallo of Aquila coined under Charles VIII of Valois (1495-1496); in the skull 1 quattrino of Pier Luigi Farnese, duke of Castro (1537-1545). These items, possibly survived from a richer deposit, may represent part of the offerings, which have become chronological indicators of ceremonies (50th and 100th anniversaries). Probably, they were intentionally repositioned during further inspections following earthquakes (1703) or desecrations (1529, 1799). The study aims to establish the period of production and free flow - in the Aquila’s area - of these coins, in order to determine possible historiographical relationships with the body.