Introduction

Coins may be produced for practical and economic reasons, but also for use as prestigious objects and gifts, and at times their divine or mythological associations have also played a critical role. 'Coin deposition' may imply a wide array of intentions, acts, practices and physical contexts. There is important written evidence for coin use in ancient and medieval ritual practices, like the many passages about coins and money found in Christian writing. Coin finds in different religious and ritual contexts are therefore valuable assets for the understanding of past ritual practice and religious beliefs. Ambivalent attitudes towards coins and money were alive in the past as much as they might be in contemporary society. Importantly, some of the most appreciated qualities in coins relate to their economic worth and ultimately rest on immaterial concepts. Everyday economic features are certainly a vital part of coins and coin use, and load them with connotations of, for example, wealth, prosperity, and comfortable life.