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Epigraphic descriptions (tool_numisdata_epigraphy)

See also: Tools user guide · Developer reference

A specialist workbench for transcribing the epigraphy of coins and other numismatic objects — legends, designs, symbols, marks and edge inscriptions — using an epigraphy thesaurus as a glyph picker.

What it's for

Coin inscriptions are hard to transcribe. Legends run along the rim in ancient or non-Latin scripts, and the exact glyphs — ligatures, retrograde letters, monograms, control marks — rarely exist on a keyboard. This tool lays out every epigraphic facet of a coin record side by side with an epigraphy thesaurus that supplies the glyphs, so you build the transcription by picking characters rather than fighting an input method.

Concrete scenario: cataloguing a Roman provincial bronze, a numismatist opens the tool on the coin record. The left column is the epigraphy thesaurus glyph picker; the right column exposes the coin's facets — obverse and reverse legends, designs, symbols and marks, plus the edge design and edge legend — each with a read-only text read-out mirroring its saved value and a "Used in" badge showing how many records reference it. They select the obverse legend, pick glyphs from the thesaurus into its Unicode text, then move on to the countermark.

When to use it

  • You are transcribing the epigraphy of a coin or similar numismatic object with specialist glyphs.
  • You need the obverse/reverse legends, designs, symbols, marks and edge inscriptions in one place, fed from an epigraphy thesaurus.
  • Not for arranging coins into collections or lots — use the coin-ordering tool (tool_numisdata_order_coins).
  • Not for plain audiovisual or document transcription — use Transcription.

Where to find it

This tool does not attach by component model or tipo. It surfaces only on records whose configuration explicitly enables it and supplies the coin-facet mapping — that is, sections set up for numismatic epigraphy. When enabled it opens in its own window with the two-column glyph-picker layout. As with any tool, you must be authorized for it on your profile.

Using it, step by step

  1. Open a coin record configured for the tool and launch Epigraphic descriptions. The tool opens in a new window.
  2. The left column shows the epigraphy thesaurus — the glyph picker. The right column shows the coin's epigraphic facets, each with a live text read-out.
  3. Select the coin you are working on if the tool exposes a coin picker; the facet fields load for that record.
  4. For each facet — obverse/reverse legend, design, symbol, mark, and the edge design and legend — select the field and pick glyphs from the thesaurus into its Unicode text.
  5. As you save a facet, its read-out updates and its Used in badge reflects how many records reference it.

Tips and gotchas

Pick glyphs from the thesaurus, don't type them

The whole point of the tool is the epigraphy thesaurus on the left: it holds the specialist glyphs that a keyboard cannot produce, and inserts them into the facet's Unicode text. Reach for it rather than approximating with plain letters.

Configuration-driven

Because the tool is enabled per section through its configuration rather than by matching a component type, it only appears where an administrator has set up the coin-facet mapping. If you expect it on a numismatic section and do not see it, the section's tool configuration likely needs it added. See the developer reference.

  • Coin ordering (tool_numisdata_order_coins) — group and sort coins into collections and lots.
  • Transcription — general audiovisual and document transcription.
  • Developer reference — the facet roles and the UI-only contract.