COIN

One of 101 Roman silver coins of the denomination known as a denarius (plural denarii ) and 2 copper alloy coins of the denomination known as a sestertius (plural sestertii) from Treasure case 2012 T406. One other copper alloy coin was found associated with the hoard. It is completely corroded but has the appearance of a third to fourth century Roman 'radiate' or nummus and is probably a stray find. Three of the denarii had the appearance of ancient plated copies but their metal content has not been tested. The earliest coin in the group is a legionary denarius of Mark Antony (issued c. 32BC-31BC) and the latest a denarius of Commodus dated to AD 190-191. The chronological spread is thus consistent with a hoard of late second century date.

Roman Republican coins of Mark Antony are known to have circulated for a long period in Britain, and certainly during the second century AD. The composition of the group is typical for a hoard deposited in the late second century AD. Whilst hoards containing both denarii and sestertii are less common than those containing coins of one metal, there are others recorded from this period and there is no doubt that the two sestertii belong to the hoard. The date of the coins is also consistent with the date of the other associated objects.

Recommendation

On the balance of probabilities, we conclude that this hoard of constitutes a prima facie case of treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act (1996), by being part of a group of precious metal coins and objects of the same find.