COIN HOARD

Hoard of 4,387 almost exclusively 3rd-century radiates, with the exception of a denarius of Carinus (283-285 AD). The coins begin with Volusian (251-253 AD) and terminate with those of Carausius (286-293 AD).

British Museumreport:

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.

Description of Find
The coins range in date from AD 251-293, a time of great political upheaval in the Roman world; as is demonstrated by the plethora of rulers represented in this relatively short period. The group is broadly similar in composition to the many Romano-British coin hoards (at least 200 so far recorded) buried in the aftermath of the breakaway 'Gallic Empire'. The Gallic empire, whose capital was at the city of Trier but which had held dominion over Britain, was established in AD 260 and reconquered by the legitimate ('central') emperor Aurelian in AD 274. The coins also just extend into a second breakaway usurpation which occurred in AD 286/7 leading to the seven year reign of Carausius as a Roman emperor (more correctly a usurper) in Britain with sway over part of the near Continent.

Summary by reign: Philippa Walton with Henry Flynn
Central Empire
Volusian (AD 251-3), 1
Joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus (AD 253-60)
Valerian I, 2
Gallienus, 1
Saloninus, 1
Gallienus & Salonina (AD 260-8)
Gallienus, 516
Salonina, 36 (incl. 8 uncertain issue)
Claudius II (AD 268-70), 617
Quintillus (AD 270), 45
Aurelian (AD 270-5), 24
Severina, 1
Tacitus (AD 275-6), 15
Florian (AD 276), 1
Probus (AD 276-82), 31
Carus (AD 282-3), 1
Carinus Caesar, 1
Numerian Augustus (AD 283-4), 1
Carinus Augustus (AD 283-5), 1
Divus Carus, 1
Joint reign of Diocletian & Maximian (AD 284-93)
Diocletian, 8
Maximian, 3

Gallic Empire
Postumus (AD 260-9), 46
Marius (AD 269), 5
Victorinus (AD 269-71), 806
Tetricus I (AD 271-4), 1099
Tetricus II, 594
Uncertain Tetricus I or Victorinus, 142

Britannic Empire
Carausius (AD 286-93), 8

Irregular, 9
Illegible, 371

The coins are all of the denomination known as radiates, originally a silver multiple of the denarius, but by this time had become debased to the point of being essentially bronze (less than 5% silver).

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 bronze coins of an antiquity greater than 300 years and are of one find of more than ten pieces. 18 sherds of Roman coarse grey pottery, found at the same time and possibly the hoard container, should also be considered treasure by its association with the coins.

Richard Abdy
Dept. of Coins and Medals
British Museum
23.7.09