4 gold solidi and 7 siliquae

A group of 11 gold and silver Roman coins found in close proximity to each other, comprised of four solidi and seven siliquae. The solidi are in good condition. The four earliest dating siliquae have all been clipped. The coins range in date from AD360-406, with the four solidi being more tightly dated to AD395-406.

Due to the date of the coins and the fact they were found in close proximity to each other, it is likely that they were deliberately deposited together post AD406. These coins are likely to be from a dispersed hoard and qualify as Treasure under the Treasure Act (1996) with the exception of the initial discovery of the first solidus (recorded on the PAS database as ESS-202055); This coin does not qualify as Treasure as at the time of discovery it was only a single coin find (See Treasure Act 1996, paragraph 16). In December 2008 a second coin was discovered at the same location and as such was reported as Treasure (2009 T3). In February 2009 an additional 3 solidi and 6 siliqua were discovered and added to the same Treasure Number.

Catalogue

Solidi (all Honorius) (4)

Milan, AD 395-402 (1)

1. Obverse: D N HONORIVS P F AVG Reverse: VICTORIA AVGGG (Emperor standing right holding standard and Victory on globe; with his left foot he spurns a seated bound captive Mint mark: M D//COMOB Diam: 21mm; Weight: 4.44g; Die axis: 6 Ref: RIC X p.318, no.1206c Ravenna AD 402-6 (3)

2. Obverse: D N HONORIVS P F AVG Reverse: VICTORIA AVGGG (Emperor standing right holding standard and Victory on globe; with his left foot he spurns a seated bound captive) Mint mark: R V//COMOB Diam: 21mm; Weight: 4.51g ; Die axis: 12 Ref: RIC X p.328, no.1287

3. This coin Obverse: D N HONORIVS P F AVG Reverse: VICTORIA AVGGG (Emperor standing right holding standard and Victory on globe; with his left foot he spurns a seated bound captive) Mint mark: R V//COMOB Diam: 21mm; Weight: 4.43g; Die axis: 6 Ref: RIC X p.328, no.1287

4. Obverse: D N HONORIVS P F AVG Reverse: VICTORIA AVGGG (Emperor standing right holding standard and Victory on globe; with his left foot he spurns a seated bound captive) Mint mark: R/V//COMOB Diam: 20mm; Weight: 4.45g; Die axis: 6 Ref: RIC X, p.328, no.1287

Siliquae (7)

JULIAN (as Augustus, AD 360-3) (3)

Arles (2)

5. Obverse: [DN] FL CL IV[LI]ANVS P F AVG] Reverse: VOT/X/MVLT/XX (Wreath with medallion containing eagle) Mint mark: [-]CON[-] Diam: 14.07mm; Weight: 1.39g, Die axis: 6, clip factor 3 Ref: cf. RIC VIII p.228 no.310

6. Obverse: - (diademed , draped, cuirassed & bearded bust of Julian, right) Reverse: VOT/X/MVLT/XX (Wreath with medallion containing eagle) Mint mark: [ ] Diam: 13mm, Weight: 1.11g, Die axis: 4, clip factor 3-4 Ref: cf. RIC VIII p.228 nos.309-11

Lyon (1)

7. Obverse: [ ...IVLI]ANVS P F AVG Reverse: VOT/X/MVLT/XX (Wreath) Mint mark: [P or S]LVG Diam: 13mm, Weight: 1.36g, Die axis: 11, clip factor 3 Ref: cf. RIC VIII p.195 no.234

GRATIAN (2)

Trier, AD367-75 (1)

8. Obverse: (D N GRATIANVS P F AVG) Reverse: VRBS ROMA (Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe & spear) Mint mark: [ ] Diam: 13mm, Weight: 1.08g, Die axis: 6 , clip factor 3 Ref: cf. RIC IX p.19 no.27f / p.22 no.45c

Trier, AD378-83 (1)

9. Obverse: D N GRATIANVS P F AVG Reverse: VIRTVS ROMANORVM (Roma seated facing, head left, holding globe & spear) Mint mark: TRPS Diam: 16mm, Weight: 1.66g, Die axis: 6, clip factor 1 Ref: RIC IX p.25 no.58a

FLAVIUS VICTOR (1)

Milan, AD387-8

10. Obverse: D N FL VICTOR P F AVG Reverse: VIRTVS ROMANORVM (Roma seated facing, head left, holding globe & spear) Mint mark: MDPS Diam: 13mm, Weight: 1.18g, Die axis: 6, clip factor 2 Ref: RIC IX p.80 no. 19b

EUGENIUS (1)

Milan, AD392-4

11. Obverse: D N EVGENIVS P F AVG Reverse: VIRTVS ROMANORVM (Roma seated facing, head left, holding globe & spear) Mint mark: MDPS Diam: 16mm, Weight: 0.98, Die axis: 12, clip factor 2 Ref: RIC IX p.83 no.32c

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Four Roman Gold coins and seven Roman Silver Coins Found near UTTLESFORD, Essex. Report to H M Coroner

BM ref.: 2009 T3 PAS refs: ESS-1FFA77 and ESS-C94344

This report will consider these coins with respect to the criteria laid down in the Treasure act (1996): Namely, their age, precious metal content and whether the coins can be said to come from the same find.

Circumstances of Find An initial discovery of the first solidus was made in 2007 and recorded on the PAS database as ESS-202055. In December 2008 a second coin was found at the same location and as such was reported as Treasure (2009 T3). In February 2009 an additional 3 solidi and 6 siliqua were discovered and added to the same Treasure case number.

Description of Find Ranging in date from AD 360-406 and minted at the great western Roman cities of Trier, Lyon, Arles, Milan and Ravenna, these coins represent the final epoch of Roman authority over Britain. Indeed the nature of the coins, many of which have been clipped of the silver at their edges, indicate that they are part of the recycled coin which had continued to be used during the early fifth century after the island was cut off and no new issues were available (AD c.410).

Summary: Gold solidi:

• AD 395-406 Honorius, 4 coins

4 Silver siliquae:

• AD 360-3 Julian, 3 coins
• AD 367-83 Gratian, 2 coins
• AD 387-8, Flavius Victor, 1 coin
• AD 392-94, Eugenius, 1 coin

Metal content At this period great efforts were made by the Romans to refine gold and silver for their coinage (they carried mint-markings guaranteeing the processes) and such coins were usually as pure as was then technologically possible (i.e. greater than 95%).

Conclusion On the balance of probabilities, therefore, I conclude that these coins belong together as a hoard and constitute a prima facie case of treasure by being precious metal coins of an antiquity greater than 300 years and are of one find of more than two pieces. This is with the exception of the initial discovery of the first solidus (recorded on the PAS database as ESS-202055). This coin does not qualify as Treasure as at the time of discovery it was only a single coin find (See Treasure Act 1996, paragraph 16).

Report by: Richard Abdy Dept. of Coins and Medals British Museum 16.7.09

An additional discovery of coins and a gold ring, from the same hoard was reported at a later date and was recorded under the Treasure number 2009 T465 and the full report can be seen on this database at: ESS-OAC4B1