4th Meeting X-ray techniques in investigations of the ... - CrysAC

PIXE ANALYSIS OF SILVER COINS FROM
ANCIENT HISTORICAL TIMES
Erazm Dutkiewicz, Artur Sroka
The �enryk �iewodniczański Institute of
�uclear Physics� Polish Academy of �ciences�
Krakow� Poland
The PIXE (Proton Induced X-Ray Emission)
method is a powerful and non-destructive
tool for analysis of various objects.
PIXE analysis of four ancient coins was
performed in the Institute of Nuclear
Physics in Kraków to determine silver
amount in their coinage metal. The coins
originated from di�erent times and di�erent
places in Europe. Two of them come
from the 4 th century (Roman Empire), one
from the year 1782 (Kingdom of Prussia),
and one from the year 1840 (Kingdom of
Poland controlled by the Russian Empire).
The analysis revealed that only the latter
coin has the proper composition of the
alloy. The other three contain less silver
than could be expected from the historical
information about the coinage. The
missing silver has been substituted by
tin because it lightens the colour of the
copper-based alloy used in all cases. The
information obtained from the chemical
analysis also showed that the alloys of 3
coins do not fulfil the required standards.
APPLICATION OF ENERGY DISPERSIVE
X-RAY MICROANALYSIS FOR EXAMINA-
TION OF HISTORIC GLASSES
Małgorzata Walczak, Zofia Kaszowska,
Paweł Karaszkiewicz
Academy of �ine Arts in Krakow – �aculty
of Conser�ation and Restoration of �orks
of Art� Krakow� Poland
Scanning electron microscopy combined
with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry
(SEM/EDX) is widely used in the field
of cultural heritage. It permits the semiquantitative
elemental analysis and so
the identification of materials used by the
artist. In particular, SEM/EDX is very useful
in glass investigation since it enables
detection of light elements like: Na, Mg,
Si and Al which are the main components
of the glass network. Also the information
about colouring elements could be
obtained.
Here, we present a discussion on the
advantages and limitations of SEM/EDX in
a few examples: the analysis of samples
from 19 th century Chinese porcelain vase,
the analysis of medieval stained glass
windows from Grodziec, Poland and the
investigation of laser cleaning e�ects on
colourless stained glass windows originating
from St. Catherine church, Krakow,
Poland.
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