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Ancient coin
Sam Gartland
Wed 18 Nov 2026
The Language of Coins, by Professor Sam Gartland
Creative Workshop
Leeds City of Languages
Workshop

For thousands of years, coins have carried words and symbols that tell stories about the people who made and used them. In this session we’ll open the University’s coin cabinets to share some of the collection’s treasures, from the earliest coins struck more than 2,500 years ago to pieces from many different cultures and times. You’ll see how languages on coins reveal power, pride, and identity, and how even the smallest inscription can unlock big histories. Whether it’s Greek, Latin, or other scripts, the words stamped in metal still speak today. Come along and discover how money really does talk – and what it has to say about our past. 

Participants will be able to handle coins from the collection.

In partnership with Classics and Cultural Collections & Galleries at Leeds.
This is a Leeds City of Languages Festival event. Check the full programme at leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk 

Treasures of the Brotherton, Parkinson Building, Woodhouse Lane
Leeds
LS2 9JT
United Kingdom

53.80848, -1.552777

    Date
    Wed 18 Nov 2026
    14:30 - 16:00

    Ticket price

    Accessibility
    Accessible car parking
    Accessible toilet
    Assistance dogs welcome
    Baby changing facilities
    Guide dogs welcome
    Hearing aid loop
    Wheelchair accessible
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