Gedanken und überlegungen zum Einsatz numismatischer Quellen im Geschichtsunterricht

Max Grüntgen's essay Gedanken und überlegungen zum Einsatz numismatischer Quellen im Geschichtsunterricht“ deals with the question of wether to use numismatic sources in history classes or not. He combines theoretical considerations with practical suggestions for the composition of school-lessons in order to convince the reader of the educational worth of numismatic sources. As an item of everyday use and object of communication, originating from long forgotten times, coins allow tremendous conclusions about political and cultural developments. Furhtermore, they may serve as an interesting and genuine possibility to grant pupils access to historical epochs.At first, the reader will be introduced to the general history of coins, documented with exemplary coinages from the respective cultures of Europe. The following part will deal with a critical questioning of the critique which the use of numismatic sources in class may encounter. Furthermore, the various pros and cons of material sources in contrast to literary sources will be discussed, concluding that none of the mentioned sources is able to transmit a comprehensive ammount of historical knowledge. Instead of that the method of source-clusters will be visualized. This method follows an alternating approach which guarantees multiperspectively oriented history lessons. In the next part of the essay the reader will be shown numerous depictions, originating from various epochs and regions in order to illustrate concrete possibilites for composing lectures and lessons. Sketchily composed proposals for history lessons and ideas for the respective topic as well as possible questions prove the suitability for daily use. The Links to numismatic databases which are added to the arcticle's addendum motivate to a further examination with the topic.