Le donne e la ricerca numismatica in Sicilia nella seconda metà del Novecento

A brief introduction highlights how the study of ancient money, up to the mid-twentieth century, was the exclusive prerogative of men. Women made an important contribution to these studies starting from the second half of the 1900s. In particular, we will focus on the figures of Sebastiana Consolo Langher and Aldina Cutroni Tusa, scholars who contributed to the formation of two Schools, different in their methodological approach and in their specific interests, but also complementary, thanks to which an interesting scientific debate was born around the crucial issues of numismatic area. The works of Sebastiana Nerina Consolo Langher were mainly of a historical nature, but with a particular interest in monetary documentation. Her scientific production, even if oriented towards the reconstruction of the economic and financial history of the single centers, in relation to the news of the historical sources, attributed an important value to the monetary document. In the works of Aldina Cutroni Tusa, on the other hand, the dialogue between coins, historical sources and above all archaeological data is constant. She paid particular attention to the archaeological data, enhancing the context in which the coin was found and developing a methodological approach that provided for the lucid analysis of the coin in association with contextual archaeological materials. This methodology has allowed her to formulate hypotheses on certain data with important repercussions on the ancient history of Sicily.