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, 5^th 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 21^st June 2006, and also acquired by Hampshire Museum Service through the Treasure act 1996 (HM Coroner report 13^th 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.

Coin references

• RIC : X 1286d (p. 328)