2007-10-24 17:17:29 Robert Webley rwebley 2011-04-01 14:32:00 Daniel Pett dpett HAMP-F6F384 Coin CORONER'S REPORT An early 5th-century gold solidus of Honorius (393-423 AD), 'VICTORIA AVGGG', struck at Ravenna, 402-406 AD (R.I.C. 1287d) found in relation with find ID HAMP-F71BD4. The coins The coins, both gold solidi, were issued by the Roman emperor Honorius (AD 393-423). One was made at the mint in his then capital Ravenna between AD 402-6, while the other was made at nearby Milan in the period AD 395-402. Catalogue has been produced by Robert Webley, Finds Liaison Officer for Hampshire. Previous finds of gold coins at Fareham The first single gold coin find was made at this spot at Fareham, 5th January 2006, and recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme, find ID HAMP-F927E7. It did not qualify as potential treasure at the time but was subsequently purchased by the Hampshire Museum Service. The second gold coin was found by Mr Stevens with the aid of a metal detector on 21st June 2006, and also acquired by Hampshire Museum Service through the Treasure act 1996 (HM Coroner report 13th July 2006; BM ref. 2006 T321). From the same find? All four gold coins found so far at this spot in Fareham were made for the emperor Honorius and could easily have been in circulation together before forming part of the same deposit in the early fifth century AD. Gold coins in ancient and medieval times were extremely valuable items and would be highly unlikely to have been dropped accidentally (In the fifth century four solidi appear to have represented a soldier's yearly subsistence). 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 (greater than 95%). Conclusion On the balance of probabilities, 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. Further they would appear to be addenda to the previous two finds of similar coins giving a new total of four gold coins for the Fareham hoard. CORONER'S REPORT An early 5th-century gold solidus of Honorius (393-423 AD), 'VICTORIA AVGGG', struck at Ravenna, 402-406 AD (R.I.C. 1287d) found in relation with find ID HAMP-F71BD4. The coins The coins, both gold solidi, were issued by the Roman emperor Honorius (AD 393-423). One was made at t... The coin is in very good condition (extremely fine). Found susbsequent to an initial single find (HAMP-F927E7), and later second (HAMP-D43CA3); the resultant small hoard was put through the Treasure process (2006 T321). This coin was found at the same time as one other; the pair were put through as addendum 2007 T449. Gold Struck or hammered ROMAN ROMAN Late 402 406 21.3 1.1 Complete 2007-10-24 17:17:29 HAMPSHIRE FAREHAM STUBBINGTON POINT( ) From Map SU50SW SU4510 29.06.2003 Metal detector 1 HAMP Creative Commons Non Commercial Share Alike - The Portable Antiquities Scheme 2007 These records can be reproduced in a non commercial enviroment as long as the original recorder is cited. The Portable Antiquities Scheme info@finds.org.uk No fees are applicable.