COIN HOARD

Treasure case 2013 T77: Disclaimed and returned to finder.

Date: AD 1074-c.1077

Description: Two silver pennies of William I Two Stars type, BMC class V, North 845 dating to AD 1074-c. 1077 found around 100 metres apart in the same field. The field is now pasture and as far as it is known has not been disturbed since the Second World War when a small area was cultivated but it may have been ploughed in the past. No other material of 11^th century date was recovered from the field. These coins are relatively rare as chance finds with only twelve two star type coins of William I recorded by the PAS nationally and none from Somerset (obviously many more are known from hoards or from chance finds not recorded with the PAS).

1. Medieval silver penny of William I (1066-1087), Two Stars type, BMC class V, minted by Ægelric at Hereford, AD 1074-c. 1077 AD, North 845.

OBV: Bust facing, crowned and diademed, between two stars.

Inscr: + ǷILLEM REX ANI . Ƿ= runic letter wen (W)

REV: Cross botonnee over a quadrilateral with incurved sides and pellets at corners, annulet in centre.

Inscr: + ÆGELRIC ON HERF

Die axis: 12 o'clock

Diameter: 19.0mm, Thickness: 0.9mm, Weight: 1.32g

2. Medieval silver penny of William I (1066-1087), Two Stars type, BMC class V, minted by Godwine at Winchester, AD 1074-c. 1077 AD, North 845.

OBV: Bust facing, crowned and diademed, between two stars.

Inscr: + ǷILLEM RE[X] ANI . Ƿ= runic letter wen (W), last I possibly overstamped on G.

REV: Cross botonnee over a quadrilateral with incurved sides and pellets at corners, annulet in centre.

Inscr: + GODǷINE ON ǷIN, Ƿ= runic letter wen (W),

Die axis: 6 o'clock

Diameter: 18.8mm, Thickness: 0.9mm, Weight: 1.34g

Discussion:

The coins are of exactly the same type and period and were found relatively closely together. Bearing in mind the lack of other material of the period found in the area and the relative rarity of these coins as chance losses it seems likely that they were originally lost together or otherwise associated. Coins of this period are known from analysis to be very good silver.

The coin of Ægelric at Hereford appears to be relatively rare with only two examples recorded on EMC; this is a new type for the moneyer (Martin Allen pers. comm. 5th April 2013). Only one coin of Godwine at Winchester is recorded on EMC.

Consequently, in terms of age, association and as the coins contains a minimum of 10% precious metal they qualify as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.