Rights Holder: National Museums Liverpool
CC License:
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Unique ID: LVPL-0D5EEF
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Billon trachea (base-silver trachy) of the Byzantine Empire, dating to c. AD 1204-61. Struck at Constantinople
Obverse: [ ]: The Virgin Mary enthroned
Reverse: [ ]: Emperor standing, holding labarum in right hand
Sear p. 414, cf. no. 2044
Discussion
It is often debated whether Byzantine coins are ancient or modern losses. Boon (1958) lays out the criteria for acceptance of a Byzantine coin as a genuine ancient loss. First, clear evidence of provenance is essential. This should be combined with independent confirmation that the site was occupied at or shortly after the date of the coin, or at least that the coin is consistent with the chronological pattern of similar finds in the region and does not conflict with known historical fact. Philpott (2020: 66) discusses eight early Byzantine copper coins from Wirral which in the past have been doubted as ancient losses (Abdy & Williams 2006, pp. 36-7, no. 100; Bean 2007, 342-3). Philpott argues that because the coins are from a relatively concentrated area (Meols) and are a tightly dated group (c.AD 518-600), and against the criteria set out by Boon (1958), there is a possibility that they are not modern losses.
This recent example from Wirral is later in date and removed from the north Wirral cluster. It was not discovered in a secure archaeological context and it is not currently evident that the site was occupied during or immediately after this period, or whether other finds from the immediate area are contemporary. Furthermore, the coin presents a smooth and shiny patina. It can therefore be suggested that this coin may be a modern loss.
Notes:
R. A. Abdy and G. Williams 2006 “A catalogue of hoards and single finds from the British Isles, c.AD 410-675”, B. Cook and G. Williams, Coinage and History in the North Sea World, c. AD 500-1250, Brill, Leiden, 2006: 11-73.
S. Bean, “Coins and tokens: pre-Roman to postmediaeval”, D. Griffiths, R. A. Philpott & G. Egan (eds.), Meols, The Archaeology of the North Wirral Coast (Oxford University School of Archaeology Monograph 68), 2007: 295-350.
Boon, G.C. (1958) 'A note on the Byzantine M coins said to have been found at Caerwent', Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, XVII (4), pp. 316-19.
Philpott, R.A. (2020) ' Early Byzantine copper coins from lowland north-west England: new finds from Wirral, Cheshire and west Lancashire' Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society Vol.90: 51-70.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: BYZANTINE
Period from: BYZANTINE
Period to: BYZANTINE
Date from: Circa AD 1204
Date to: Circa AD 1261
Quantity: 1
Weight: 1.03 g
Diameter: 19.72 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 27th May 2021
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Other reference: 2233
Primary material: Base Silver
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Denomination: base-silver trachy
Ruler/issuer: Latin Rulers of Constantinople
Mint or issue place: Constantinople
Obverse description: Emperor standing facing, holding labarum in right hand
Obverse inscription: [ ]
Reverse description: The Virgin Mary enthroned
Reverse inscription: [ ]
4 Figure: SJ3282
Four figure Latitude: 53.33052477
Four figure longitude: -3.02251838
1:25K map: SJ3282
1:10K map: SJ38SW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.