ARTICLE

ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF LATE KUSHAN COPPER COINS FROM THE ISLAMABAD MUSEUM PAKISTAN USING XRAY FLUORESCENCE XRF SPECTROSCOPY

02 Pages : 9-34

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).02      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).02      Published : Jun 2025

Elemental Analysis of Late Kushan Copper Coins from the Islamabad Museum, Pakistan, Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy

    Archaeometallurgy examines the manufacture, practice, and technical development of ancient metals. This investigation middles on the elemental analysis of Late Kushan copper coins from Pakistan, applying X-ray fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy, a non-destructive method to discover their metallurgical alignment. The sample consisted of 22 Late Kushan copper coins, from the Islamabad Museum's reserve collection, chosen for comprehensive research. The main working technique was the XRF study, expected to classify alloying elements, minting approaches, and metallurgical performances from the Kushan period. The coins were generally struck relatively than cast, reflecting the invitation of modern minting methods. Elemental analysis identified notable quantities of tin, lead, and nickel. The sign of sulfide ores along with crusts such as silica, iron, and Sulphur facts to less advanced smelting methods. The coins exhibit a single-phase copper with impurities of Si, Ni, P, and Ag, as well as black inclusions of copper sulfide in the inner cores.

    (1) Attiya Malik
    PhD Scholar, Department of Archeology, Hazara University, Mansehra, KP, Pakistan.
    (2) Naveed Usman
    Lecturer, Department of Archeology, Hazara University, Mansehra, KP, Pakistan.
    (3) Gul Rahim Khan
    Professor, Department of Archeology, University of Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
  • Mamania, D., & Singh, M. R. (2019). Analysis of Kushan coins (1st–3rd centuries C.E.) by Multi-Spectroscopic Techniques. Journal of Applied Spectroscopy, 86(5), 948–954. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10812-019-00920-3

  • Mamania, D., & Singh, M. R. (2019). Analysis of Kushan coins (1st–3rd centuries C.E.) by Multi-Spectroscopic Techniques. Journal of Applied Spectroscopy, 86(5), 948–954. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10812-019-00920-3

  • Manfred. (1858). Ancient coins. The R. I. Schoolmaster, 4(4), 103–104.
  • Manfred. (1858). Ancient coins. The R. I. Schoolmaster, 4(4), 103–104.
  • Marussi, G., Pavoni, E., Crosera, M., Gariboldi, A., Verk, G., & Adami, G. (2024). Archaeometric investigations of Sasanian silver drachmas (6th-7th century AD) using X-ray fluorescence analysis. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 70, 381–387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2024.10.007
  • Marussi, G., Pavoni, E., Crosera, M., Gariboldi, A., Verk, G., & Adami, G. (2024). Archaeometric investigations of Sasanian silver drachmas (6th-7th century AD) using X-ray fluorescence analysis. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 70, 381–387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2024.10.007
  • Paulo, S. P., Appoloni, C. R., Vieira, R. M., Scorzelli, R. B., Corrêa, L., & Guerra, M. F. (2009). Precious metals determination in ancient coins by portable ED-XRF spectroscopy with a ²³⁸Pu source. Archaeometry, 33, 313–318.
  • Paulo, S. P., Appoloni, C. R., Vieira, R. M., Scorzelli, R. B., Corrêa, L., & Guerra, M. F. (2009). Precious metals determination in ancient coins by portable ED-XRF spectroscopy with a ²³⁸Pu source. Archaeometry, 33, 313–318.
  • Trela, K., Gojska, A., Mista-Jakubowska, E., & Kelemen, M. (2025). Spectroscopic techniques in the investigation of extraordinary medieval Polish coins: Revealing the presence of hidden cores. Nukleonika, 70(1), 19–27.
  • Trela, K., Gojska, A., Mista-Jakubowska, E., & Kelemen, M. (2025). Spectroscopic techniques in the investigation of extraordinary medieval Polish coins: Revealing the presence of hidden cores. Nukleonika, 70(1), 19–27.
  • Upadhyay, A. K., Giri, N. K., Prakash, R., & Mishra, H. (2024). Surface elemental and structural analysis of ancient Indian punch-marked coins (600 to 200 BCE): insights into metallurgy and economic practices. Scientific reports, 14(1), 30190. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76356-3
  • Upadhyay, A. K., Giri, N. K., Prakash, R., & Mishra, H. (2024). Surface elemental and structural analysis of ancient Indian punch-marked coins (600 to 200 BCE): insights into metallurgy and economic practices. Scientific reports, 14(1), 30190. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76356-3
  • Volpi, V., Chiarantini, L., Cicali, C., & Salvadori, B. (2023). Shedding light on the microstructure and chemical composition of rare early medieval coins from Italy (Berengario I) by combining pXRF and SEM–EDX analysis. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-023-01726-3
  • Volpi, V., Chiarantini, L., Cicali, C., & Salvadori, B. (2023). Shedding light on the microstructure and chemical composition of rare early medieval coins from Italy (Berengario I) by combining pXRF and SEM–EDX analysis. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-023-01726-3

Cite this article

    APA : Malik, A., Usman, N., & Khan, G. R. (2025). Elemental Analysis of Late Kushan Copper Coins from the Islamabad Museum, Pakistan, Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy. Global Social Sciences Review, X(II), 9-34. https://doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).02
    CHICAGO : Malik, Attiya, Naveed Usman, and Gul Rahim Khan. 2025. "Elemental Analysis of Late Kushan Copper Coins from the Islamabad Museum, Pakistan, Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy." Global Social Sciences Review, X (II): 9-34 doi: 10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).02
    HARVARD : MALIK, A., USMAN, N. & KHAN, G. R. 2025. Elemental Analysis of Late Kushan Copper Coins from the Islamabad Museum, Pakistan, Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy. Global Social Sciences Review, X, 9-34.
    MHRA : Malik, Attiya, Naveed Usman, and Gul Rahim Khan. 2025. "Elemental Analysis of Late Kushan Copper Coins from the Islamabad Museum, Pakistan, Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy." Global Social Sciences Review, X: 9-34
    MLA : Malik, Attiya, Naveed Usman, and Gul Rahim Khan. "Elemental Analysis of Late Kushan Copper Coins from the Islamabad Museum, Pakistan, Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy." Global Social Sciences Review, X.II (2025): 9-34 Print.
    OXFORD : Malik, Attiya, Usman, Naveed, and Khan, Gul Rahim (2025), "Elemental Analysis of Late Kushan Copper Coins from the Islamabad Museum, Pakistan, Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy", Global Social Sciences Review, X (II), 9-34
    TURABIAN : Malik, Attiya, Naveed Usman, and Gul Rahim Khan. "Elemental Analysis of Late Kushan Copper Coins from the Islamabad Museum, Pakistan, Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy." Global Social Sciences Review X, no. II (2025): 9-34. https://doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).02