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silver content

純銀 ／ silver-content　—　Measuring

Weight × fineness. The silver actually present.

Croeseid Croeseidc. BC 550 Karshapana (punch-marked silver coin) Karshapana (punch-marked silver coin)400–300 BC Drachm of Artemis and the lion Drachm of Artemis and the lionc. 375–200 BC
A photograph of what this word names.

This is the central multiplication at NOMISMA. Whatever the face value or the name of the coin, its true intrinsic value is determined by this number.

Looking at weight and fineness separately obscures the process of currency debasement. Only by multiplying them does two hundred years of decline become visible as a single line.