ROMAN COIN

117

CURATOR'S REPORTSite scatter of 35 Roman coins.Circumstance of Discovery35 Roman coins were found by The Isle of Wight Metal Detecting Club in West Wight, in the Isle of Wight at a small local rally 8 April 2007. They came from an area of grass (which was sown 8 years previously) 50m by 50m and were originally submitted as potential treasure to the Finds Liaison Officer, Frank Basford. Some of the coins were as much as one foot underground. Mr. Basford cleaned off the surplus earth from the coins. The nature of the group suggests that they are site-finds, not a dispersed hoard, therefore not treasure.DiscussionThey are the most unusual group of site-finds that the author has ever seen from Britain. They are summarised in Table 1 by date and mint. Immediately, it is clear that they have a strong bias to mints in the eastern part of the Empire. As a group, they are plausible as site-finds from Britain with a few pre-AD 250 coins and a significant rise in the 4th century (see Table 2 and Figure 1). However, there is not the strong representation of radiate coins from 260-75 that one might expect. Furthermore, this would be a class of site that shows stronger representation in the period 348-78 (18-19) than period 330-48 (17). Normally for British sites, Period 17 is the best represented.The first four coins are early aes which one would expect to find in Britain, a sestertius of Hadrian, two asses of Faustina I and a sestertius of Maximinus (nos. 1-4). Likewise, the radiate of Tetricus II is a common coin for Britain (no. 6). No. 5, however, appears to be an unpublished coin of Geta from Bizya in Thrace. Roman provincial coins do occasionally turn up in Britain; given this one's size, it is quite possible that it was able to pass as currency in the 4th century. No. 7, a piece of Diocletian, is another coin which was struck in the central or eastern empire.The 4th century coins continue a "Thracian" or "Balkan" trend. There are two IOVI CONSERVATORI types from eastern mints (nos. 8 & 10). One GLORIA EXERCITVS and a CONSTANTINOPOLIS coin appear to come from Eastern mints (nos. 13-14) and a vota piece for Constans or Constantius II is certainly eastern (no. 18). All of the FEL TEMP REPARATIO and SPES REI PVBLICE coins come from central or eastern mints (nos. 19-25): Siscia, Thessalonika, ?Nicomedia and Cyzicus. No. 26 is quite possibly the first site-find of Procopius from Britain and three Valentinianic coins come from eastern mints (nos. 28-30) and one from Siscia (no. 32).Finally, the latest coin is a VIRTVS EXERCITI issue of Arcadius, only struck in the east. These coins are rare west of Greece and this would be the first recorded from Britain, no example being listed in Abdy & Williams 2006.Amongst the 4th century coins there are a few from western mints, coins that are common on sites in Britain (nos. 15 & 27; probably nos. 9, 11 & 12).Initially, one would look at such a group with incredulity. The large bias towards central and eastern empire mints is unprecedented for site-finds in Britain. In fact, the only comparable site is Hayle in Cornwall where a number of similar coins have been found and recorded on the PAS. The author had already surmised that such central and eastern mint coins might become more common as PAS records from the south-western and southern counties which had direct maritime links with the Mediterranean. Indeed, there has been a recent record of a coin Constantine I from Heraclea from the IOW (IOW-AF2D45). Furthermore, there have been a significant number of 6th and early 7th century Byzantine coins on the PAS database from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, underlining the fact that this maritime link between the south-west and the Mediterranean continued into the post-Roman period. Indeed, in this case, detectorists are supplementing the archaeological evidence, notably eastern Mediterranean pottery, found at sites such as Tintagel and Bantham.Therefore, the most obvious explanation for the West Wight coins is that they represent this direct maritime link between south-west Britain and the Mediterranean, providing evidence that ships could travel significantly east of Cornwall and Devon.Catalogue* denotes priority for photography1. Hadrian, 117-38 Copper alloy sestertius Mint of RomeObv. [ ]; bust right Rev. illegible (R. Atkinson; no. 27)2. Faustina I, post-141 (commemorative issue) Copper alloy As Mint of RomeObv. [DIVA FAVSTINA]; bust right Rev. [?AETERNITAS S C]; ?Pietas standing left Ref. RIC III, p. 166, c.f. no. 1162 (A. Fairbanks; no. 33)Note box. This is probably a 'Coin of British Association' struck at Rome only for use in Britain - see D. R. Walker 'The Roman Coins' from Bath, p. 298, no. 299 ff. 74 coins of this type were found at Bath.3. ?Faustina I, post-141 (commemorative issue) Copper alloy As Mint of RomeObv. [?DIVA FAVSTINA]; bust right Rev. [?AETERNITAS S C]; ?Pietas standing left Ref. RIC III, p. 166, c.f. no. 1162 (S. Butler; no. 32)Note box. This is probably a 'Coin of British Association' struck at Rome only for use in Britain - see D. R. Walker 'The Roman Coins' from Bath, p. 298, no. 299 ff. 74 coins of this type were found at Bath.4.* Maximinus I, 235-8 Copper alloy sestertius Mint of Rome, 235-6Obv: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG; laureate, draped and cuirassed r. Rev: FIDES MILITVM; Fides standing facing, head left, holding standard in each hand Ref. RIC IV, pt 2, p. 144, no. 43 (R. Atkinson; no. 28)5.* Roman Provincial coin Geta, AD 198-212 Copper alloy coin (AE 15; DA c. 6; 2.05g) Mint of ?Bizya (Thrace)Obv. ...TA - ...; ?bare-headed right Rev. ?(BYZ)[VH](NΩN); coiled snake Ref. - (J. Lazell; no. 24)Note-box. The apparent inscription on the reverse does suggest Bizya in Thrace as the mint. However, snakes are only published for coins of Philip I and II (AD 244-9) (Varbanov 1723; Moushmov 3520). There are, however, a similar coin struck for Geta at Pautalia in western Thrace (SNG Cop. 9-10, pl. 14, no. 718). It is possible that this provided a prototype for a similar issue at Bizya.6. Tetricus II, AD 271-4 Gallic Mint II Copper alloy radiateObverse: (C PIV ESV / C P E TETRICVS CAES); bust right Reverse: [PIE]TAS AVGVST[OR]; sacrificial implements, with fluted jug and handle on right. Ref. Cunetio p. 151, no. 2597; Normanby p. 197, no. 1542 (G. Leng; no. 34)Note-box: This is possibly a barbarous copy7.* Diocletian, AD 284-305 Mint unclear, c. 284-96 Copper alloy radiateObv. ...C DIOCLETIANVS P...; radiate bust right Rev. (CONCORDIA MILITUM); emperor standing r., receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter who stands left and holds sceptre Mintmark: ?//[ ] (J. Cavnor; no. 21)Note-box: This coin was struck in the central or eastern empire, this type being used at Siscia (Croatia), Heraclea (Turkey, near Istanbul) and Antioch (Turkey; ancient Syria). These coins are scarce as site-finds in Britain.8.* Constantine I, AD 306-337 Mint unclear, c. 313-7 Copper alloy nummusObv.: ...STA...; bust right Rev.: (IOVI) CONS- [ERVATORI AVGG NN]; Jupiter standing left, leaning on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand; to left, eagle holding wreath in beak. Mintmark /??[ ] (P. Hopkinson; no. 18)Note-box: This type was struck Siscia (Croatia) and mints to the east. The reverse legend break suggests it is Thessalonica or a mint to the east. This type is scarce as a site-find in Britain.9. Constantine I, AD 306-337 Mint unclear, c. 313-317 Copper alloy nummusObv. ... CONSTANTIN...; laureate bust right Rev. SO[LI INVICTO COMITI]; Sol standing left, holding globe in left hand (G. Leng; no. 35)10.* Licinius I, 308-324 Mint of Cyzicus, 317-320 Copper alloy nummusObv. IMP LICINIVS AVG; laureate and draped left, holding mappa in r. and sceptre in l. Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on globe and sceptre Mintmark: wreath Γ//SMK Ref. RIC VII, p. 644, no. 9 (S. Butler; no. 31)Note-box: This eastern mint coin is a scarce site-find for Britain11. House of Constantine (Crispus or Constantine II) Mint unclear, c. 320-5 Copper alloy nummusObv. ...bust left Rev. (CAESARVM NOSTRORVM); wreath enclosing unclear Vota inscription Mintmark: -//... (B. Hawkes; no. 1)12. Constantine I, 306-337 Mint unclear, c. 325-8 Copper alloy nummusObv.: CONSTANTINVS AVG; laureate head right Rev.: PROVIDENTIAE AVGG; Camp-gate with two turrets; star above Mintmark: -//... (K. Gosden; no. 30)13.* House of Constantine Mint of ?Nicomedia, 330-335 Copper alloy nummus Obv.: ...; bust right Rev.: GLORIA EXERCITVS; two soldiers and two standards Mintmark: -//SM(N?). Ref. RIC VII, p. 633, c.f. no. 188ff. (T. Orme; no. 17)Note-box: This coin is certainly from an Eastern mint, the other possible source being Heraclea. Coins from the East are scarce as site-finds in Britain.14. House of Constantine - CONSTANTINOPOLIS issue Mint unclear, 330-340 Copper alloy nummusObv.: (CONSTANTINOPOLIS); helmeted bust left Rev.: Victory standing left on prow, holding spear and shield Mintmark: -//S(M?).. (S. Thompson; no. 11)Note-box: This coin is apparently from an eastern mint (Thessalonica or east); however, it also possibly barbarous.15. ?Constantius II as Caesar, 324-337 Mint of Trier, 335-7 Copper alloy nummusObv.: ...(NOB C); laureate bust right Rev.: GLORIA EXERCITVS; Two soldiers and one standard Mintmark: -//•TRS(•?) Ref. RIC VII, p. 223, c.f. no. 592 (B. Hawkes; no. 3)16. House of Constantine Mint unclear, 335-41 Copper alloy nummusObv.: ...; unclear bust Rev.: [GLORIA EXERCITVS]; two soldiers and one standard Mintmark: ?//? (S. O/Brien; no. 29)17. House of Constantine Mint unclear, 335-41 Copper alloy nummusObv.: FL...; laureate, draped and cuirassed right Rev.: [GLORIA EXERCITVS]; two soldiers and one standard Mintmark: -//[ ] (A. Hall, no. 10)18.* House of Constantine (Constantius II or Constans as Augustus) Mint unclear, 347-8 Copper alloy nummusObv.: [ ]; traces of bust right Rev.: VO[T / X]X / [MVLT / XXX] in wreath Mintmark: //[ ] (C. Parker; no. 12)Note-box: This coin is struck at an eastern mint (Heraclea or further east). Coins of this type are scarce as site-finds in Britain.19.* Constantius II, 337-61 Thessalonika, 350-55 Copper alloy nummusObv.: D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev.: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; soldier advancing left, spearing fallen horseman Mintmark: Δ -//SMTS Ref. RIC VIII, p. 419, no. 189 (R. Gates, no. 8)Note-box: This coin was probably struck at the end of the issue period 350-55.20.* Constantius II, 337-61 ?Siscia, 355-61 Copper alloy nummusObv. (D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG); pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev. (FEL TEMP REPARATIO); soldier advancing left, spearing fallen horseman Mintmark: -//?[ ]S(I..) Ref. RIC VIII, p. 377, c.f. no. 361ff. (J. Parker; no. 13)21.* Constantius II, 337-361 ?Nicomedia, 355-61 Copper alloy nummusObv.: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right. Rev.: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; soldier advancing left, spearing fallen horseman Mintmark: //[SM?](N?). Ref. RIC VIII, p. 481, c.f. no. 104 (B. Hawkes; no. 4) Note-box: although the mint mark is unclear, the portrait of Constantius II is distinctly eastern.22.* Constantius II, 337-61 Siscia, 355-61 Copper alloy nummusObv.: D N (CONSTAN-TIVS P F) AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev.: SPES REI PVBLICE; emperor standing left, holding globe and spear Mintmark://.SIS• Ref. RIC VIII, p. 378, no. 393 (R. Atkinson; no. 19)23.* Constantius II, 337-61 ?Siscia, 355-61 Copper alloy nummusObv.: [D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG]; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev.: SPES REI PVBLICE; emperor standing left, holding globe and spear Mintmark://?.(SI). Ref. RIC VIII, p. 378, c.f. no. 390ff. (R. Gates; no. 5)24.* Constantius II, 337-61 Cyzicus, 355-61 Copper alloy nummusObv.: D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev.: SPES REI PVBLICE; emperor standing left, holding globe and spear Mintmark: Γ or L -//(SMK.) Ref. RIC VIII, p. 499, c.f. nos. 119/121 (M. Rugg; no. 14)25. Constantius II, 337-61 Unclear mint, 355-61 Copper alloy nummusObv.: (D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG); pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev.: SPES (REI PVBLICE); emperor standing left, holding globe and spear Mintmark: ?//S(M?).. (D. Clark; no. 15)Note-box: This is a coin from Siscia or a mint further east26.* Procopius, 365-6 Mint unclear, 365-6 Copper alloy nummusObv.: (D N PRO)[ ]; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev.: (REPARATIO FEL TEMP); emperor facing, head unclear, holding standard and shield Mintmark: ? Ref. LRBC II -; RIC IX, p. 215, c.f. nos. 18-19; p. 240, no. 9 (F. Cook; no. 25)Note-box: Coins of Procopius were only struck at Heraclea, Constantinople, Nicomedia and Cyzicus; most of this issue has a left-facing bust. The right-facing bust is only recorded at Constantinople (where it is relatively common) and at Cyzicus. It seems probable that this coin is from Constantinople. Coins of Procopius are extremely rare in Britain.27.* Gratian, 367-83 Lyons, 367-75 Copper alloy nummusObv. D N GRATIANVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev. GLORIA ROMANORVM; emperor advancing right holding standard and dragging captive Mintmark: O F II / (S?) R//(LV.P/S) Ref. LRBC II, p. 52, c.f. no. 351 (F. Cook; no. 26)28.* Valentinian I, 364-75 Thessalonika, 364-7 Copper alloy nummusObv. D N VALENTIANVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev. GLORIA ROMANORVM; emperor advancing right holding standard and dragging captive Mintmark: [ ]//TESB Ref. LRBC II, p. 79, c.f. no. 1704 (T. Toms; no. 16)Note-box: Coins of this type from Thessalonika are rarely found in Britain.29.* House of Valentinian, 364-78 ?Thessalonika, 367-75 Copper alloy nummusObv. [ ]; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev. GLORIA ROMANORVM; emperor advancing right holding standard and dragging captive Mintmark: P -//?(TES) Ref. LRBC II, p. 80, c.f. no.1787 (R. Atkinson; no. 20)Note-box: This coin is only recorded for Gratian. Coins of this type from Thessalonika are rarely found in Britain.30.* Valens, 364-78 Heraclea, 367-75 Copper alloy nummusObv. D N VALENS - P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev. GLORIA ROMANORVM; emperor advancing right holding standard and dragging captive Mintmark: * wreath//SMH(A) Ref. LRBC II p. 84, no. 1937 (B. Hawkes; no. 2)Note-box: This coin has an unusual preservation - there is no patina and only minimal verdigris. Coins of this type from Heraclea are very rare in Britain.31. House of Valentinian, 364-78 Mint unclear, 364-78 Copper alloy nummusObv.: [ ]; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev. (GLORIA ROMANORVM); emperor advancing right holding standard and dragging captive Mintmark: ? (R. Gates; no. 6)32. ?Valens, 364-78 ?Siscia, 367-75 Copper alloy nummusObv.: (?D N VALENS P F AVG); pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev.: SECVRITAS REI PVBLICAE; Victory advancing left with wreath and palm Mintmark: [?*] / (K) [?]//[ ] Ref. LRBC II, p. 73, 1373-5 (J. Cavnor; no. 23)33.* Arcadius, 383-408 Mint unclear, 395-401 Copper alloy nummus Obv.: (D N ARCADIVS P F AVG); pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed right Rev.: VIRTVS EXERCITI; Emperor standing facing, head right, holding spear; being crowned with wreath by Victory who stands to left and holds palm Mintmark: ? (J. Cavnor; no. 22)Note-box: This very large issue of coins came from the mints of Heraclea, Constantinople, Nicomedia, Cyzicus, Antioch and Alexandria. These coins are rarely found west of Greece and this appears to be the first example found in Britain.34. Uncertain emperor Mint unclear Copper alloy nummus Obv.: [ ]; bust right Rev.: illegible (R. Gates; no. 7)35. Uncertain emperor Mint unclear Copper alloy nummus Obv.: [ ]; bust right Rev.: illegible (S. Downer; no. 9)Figure 1: Bar-Chart showing the West Wight coins by Reece Periods (See Table 2 for periods and statistics).