OpenNumisma: A Software Platform For Managing Digital Heritage Numismatic Collections With a Particular Focus on Reflectance Transformation Imaging. The proposed poster presents digital heritage research related to OpenNumisma; an open source web-based platform focused on digital heritage numismatic collections. The project provides an innovative merge of digital imaging and data management systems that offer great new opportunities for research and the dissemination of knowledge. A key feature of this platform is the application of Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), a computational photographic method that offers tremendous image analysis possibilities for numismatic research. OpenNumisma data can produce Linked Data; the RDF produces a SPARQL endpoint using PHP,ARC2 libraries and is based on CIDOC-CRM Conceptual Reference Model ontology of exchange heterogeneous cultural heritage information. RTI is a computational photographic method that digitally captures color and surface texture data to produce a dynamic file that allows the user to virtually illuminate, in high analysis, every detail of the photographed object. Furthermore, the enhancing functions of RTI can reveal hidden surface details that are not disclosed under direct empirical examination. The poster will explicate the platforms’ capabilities in the digitally interactive exploration of coins’ collections, discover embossed inscriptions set in the context of a comprehensive digital library that is designed to disseminate knowledge on the history and culture of ancient and medieval. Designed to be used by non-technical or IT experts, OpenNumisma interactive functions and applications are based on a friendly user interface. The first successful implementation of OpenNomisma in the online coinage collection of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation.

1. A software Platform For Managing Digital Heritage Numismatic Collections
with Particular Focus on Reflectance Transformation Imaging
Science and Technology in Archaeology Research Center (STARC)
The design of OpeNumisma aims at the creation of web digital platforms and collections. The first
successful implementation of OpeNumisma focused on the coinage collection of the Bank of Cyprus
Cultural Foundation. The digital platform contains 134 medieval coins with the potential extension up
to 500 coins and offers the virtual examination of coins through the implementation of Reflectance
Transformation Imaging (RTI). Advanced imaging technologies and high-resolution super-zoom are
complemented with text descriptions, expert essays, links to other collections and repositories that
provide context as well as alternative ways to study and access the material.
This projects concerns the creation of a reusable, open-source and domain specific web-based platform fo-
cusedondigitalheritagenumismaticcollectionsfornon-profitandacademicdigitalprojects.Itisaninnovative
merge of digital imaging and data management systems that offers great new opportunities for research and
thedisseminationofknowledge.AkeyfeatureofthisplatformistheapplicationofReflectanceTransformation
Imaging(RTI),acomputational-basedphotographytechnologythatreliesonextractingreflectioninformation.
RTI is a computational photographic method that digitally captures colour and surface texture data to produce a dynamic file that allows the user to virtually illuminate, in high analysis, every detail
of the photographed object. The enhancement functions of RTI reveal surface details that are not disclosed under direct empirical examination of the physical object. The advanced computational
photography technique offers all possible light positions within the virtual hemisphere on the surface of the object for a more effective study. The illumination of the embossed side of the coins and
the description of their coded iconography can be explored through an interactive re-lighting technique. The effective utilization of advanced imaging applications in the study of coins can provide
archaeologists and historians with the necessary tools to study and identify surface details, inscriptions and decorative patterns invisible to the naked eye.
Based on CIDOC-CRM Conceptual Reference Model ontology of exchange
heterogeneous cultural heritage information among cultural heritage
institutions. OpeNumisma data can produce Linked Data, the RDF produce
a SPARQL endpoint using PHP ARC2 libraries E22 Man-Made Object. P2 has
type: E55 Type = Coin.
The creation of OpeNumisma aims to significantly enhance the documen-
tation and preservation of cultural heritage objects and to improve digital
online collections. The innovative web-based platform can extend and sup-
port more advanced functionalities as well as to exploit the ever-increasing
technological opportunities to enhance the interactive experience between
the user and online databases.
OpeNumisma
Bibliography
MICHAELIDOU, L., ZAPITI, E. (2008) Coins of Cyprus: From the Collection of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. Nicosia, Cyprus: Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation.
KOTOULA, E. and KYRANOUDI, M. (2013) Study of Ancient Greek and Roman coins using Reflectance Transformation Imaging. E-Conservation, No.25 (Spring 2013), pp. 75-88.
WOOD, D. et al. (2014) Linked Data. Greenwich, New York: Manning Publications.
Fig. 2
Fig. 1
Figures
FIGURE 1: Still Captures from the online coinage collection of Bank of Cypus Cultural Foundation “Cypriot Medieval Coins History and Culture”
Website link: http://www.akn.cyi.ac.cy
FIGURE 2: Coins from left to right. Coin 1: AR, Tetradrachm. Alexander the Great (336-323 BC), ca 323-319/8 BC,Soloi (1994-03-01/Reverse
side) in Diffuse Gain mode. Coin 2: AR, Siglos. Milkyaton(?), ca 400-362 BC (1986-05-03/Obverese Side) Coin 3: AR Didachm. [...]timos, first
quarter of 4th century BC (1996-07-01/Obverese Side) with image showing the coin in Simple Visualization mode.
FIGURE 3: Coins from top to bottom. Coin 1: AR, Didrachm. Epipalos, 370-360(?) BC (1986-03-01/ Obverse side) with an image showing a
close-up of the coin. Coin 2: AR, Didrachm. Lysandros, 380-370 BC (1993-01-01/Obverse side) with an image showing a close-up of the coin.
Motivation
Introduction Numismatic and Reflectance transformation imaging
Semantics and Interoperability
Conclusion
Fig. 3
Acknowledgements
The Cyprus Institute and the Imaging Cluster for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage want to thank the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, its director Lefki Michaelidou
and Curator of the Numismatic Museum Eleni Zapiti in particular, for all their support and close collaboration
Imaging Cluster for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (ICACH) A.Avgousti, R.Georgiou, A.Nikolaidou, E.Zapiti, N.Bakirtzis