Rights Holder: Surrey County Council
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Unique ID: SUR-5B13A4
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
Two joining fragments of a French or English (late 6th / early 7th c.) gold-plated contemporary forgery of a Visigothic 'Kingdom of Toulouse' pseudo-imperial solidus of the late 5th century AD copying a solidus of Severus III (461-5) from Ravenna. Probably minted in Toulouse or Narbonne.
RIC X 3753; MEC I, 174-6 (esp. 176)
The coin is pierced for suspension. Obv. Emperor right, Rev. Standing Emperor, foot on human-headed serpent
Notes:
It is not absolutely clear what the base metal is but it appears to be silver.
One fragment was found in 2006 and the unpierced fragment nearby in 2011. Unfortunately in the meantime the first fragment was disposed of; the photographed re-unites the two pieces.
The British Museum clarified its advice on modified coins in April 2017. Single precious metal coins from the Iron Age to AD 1180 which have been modified in any way, including by a single piercing, are now thought to fulfil the criteria for Treasure because they should be regarded as single precious metal objects. This item was recorded before the advice was clarified, otherwise it would have been reported as potential Treasure.
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: ROMAN
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: ROMAN
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 461
Date to: Circa AD 507
Quantity: 1
Weight: 1.06 g
Diameter: 20 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 24th September 2006
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Other reference: 06/690
Primary material: Silver
Secondary material: Gold
Completeness: Fragment
Denomination: Solidus
Denomination qualifier: Certain
Ruler/issuer: Severus III
Primary ruler qualifier: Certain
Reece period: Period 23 [445-498]
Mint or issue place: Ravenna
Mint qualifier: Probably
Obverse description: Bust of an emperor, facing right.
Obverse inscription: DNLIBVSSEV-RVS[PFAVG-
Reverse description: Emperor, standing, facing forwards, right foot on human head of serpent
Reverse inscription: VICTORI [AAV]CCC / CO[MOB
Die axis measurement: 6 o'clock
Degree of wear: Worn: fine
Status: Contemporary copy (Plated copy)
Status qualifier: Certain
No coin references available.
4 Figure: TQ4206
Four figure Latitude: 50.836118
Four figure longitude: 0.015229
1:25K map: TQ4206
1:10K map: TQ40NW
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.