COIN HOARD

Treasure case 2013 T763.

The Seaton Down Hoard consists of approximately 22,000 copper alloy coins, essentially nummi dating to the AD 330s and early 340s, and bearing the effigies of Constantine I and his family. This is one of the largest hoards of its kind within the whole Roman Empire.

Circumstances of find (based upon the excavation report by Alex Farnell)

The hoard was found on 16 November 2013 whilst metal detecting with the permission of the landowner near Seaton, Devon. Coins were exposed and partially recovered by the finder. The finder contacted the East Devon Metal Detecting club, whose members informed the PAS FLO Danielle Wootton and the Devon County Archaeologist Bill Horner. An archaeological excavation was commissioned by Devon County Council and undertaken by AC archaeology between the 18^th and 22^nd November 2013 in order to recover the bulk of the find.

A 3m² area around the find spot was exposed. Coins were removed and bagged in two centimetres spits according to a twenty centimetre grid overlaying the area. The coins formed a single coherent group deposited in a small isolated pit although the possibility of different episodes of deposition has to be considered (note for instance the two concreted lumps of coins within the main deposit). The presence of a possible container was suggested by a number of ferrous fragments around the main coin deposit and by fragmentary remains of possible organic fabric preserved below the coins at the base of the pit. The irregular and lozenge shaped form of the coin deposit suggests a flexible container, perhaps a fabric or soft leather bag.

Description of the coins

The coins range from the AD 260s to the AD 340s. The main denomination, generally known today as a nummus (plural nummi), is predominantly made of copper-alloy with a tiny admixture of silver. There are also a handful of earlier base metal coins of the 3^rd century AD, representing the residue of the earlier coinage system based on the denomination generally known today as the 'radiate'.

99% of the hoard consist of the very common issues struck between AD 330 and AD 341 (mostly the Gloria Exercitus type in the name of Constantine and his sons Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans as well as the Urbs Roma and Constantinopolis commemorative issues). The heavier nummi struck before 330 were hardly available by the time of the hoarding and are therefore very few in number. The group terminates during the joint reign of Constantius II and his younger brother Constans. Constans was the last legitimate emperor to visit Britain in AD 343.The latest coins in the hoard are three nummi bearing the reverse legend VICTORIAE DD AVGGQ NN struck in Trier during the first issue following the creation of this type. According to RIC, the 'Two Victories' reverse type was struck in AD 347-8 but some scholars lean towards an earlier date in the 340s.

17 mints are represented within the find. The London mint was shut down in AD 325 and Britain's was from that moment on mainly supplied by the Gallic mints which provide 95% of the coins (Trier and, to a lesser extent, Lyon and Arles). There is also a small quantity of ancient forgeries (c. 3%) listed below as 'irregular'.

Such Constantinian period hoards are not uncommon, especially in Britain. However, Seaton Down is one of the largest of its kind within the whole Roman Empire. Some similar giant British hoards such as Nether Compton, Dorset (22,703 specimens) or Bishopswood, Hertfordshire (17,548 specimens) are recorded but they were dispersed without any detailed publication.

The Seaton Down Hoard is currently being studied at the British Museum.

Summary (by date and mint):

Other Material (identification by Ralph Jackson)

Three large, heavy pieces of iron were associated with the coins. The form and size of all three indicates that they were almost certainly made and deposited together. Radiography of nos. 1 and 2 demonstrates their density, clarifies their shape and reveals a slight irregular cleft in the broader end of no. 2. All three are lightly ridged and have a sub-rectangular cross-section. No. 1 has two tapered terminals; nos. 2 and 3 have one broad and one narrow terminal. Although a little irregular the terminals may all be complete, as made. All three pieces are essentially large blocks of iron and their weight and simplicity of form suggest they are almost certainly prepared blooms of smelted iron - 'ingots' - the raw material of blacksmiths, ready for hand-forging into wrought iron objects. Other examples of Romano-British prepared blooms weigh between about 1 to 10 kg.

Date: Not intrinsically datable but their general form is consistent with blooms of Roman date. Weight: (1) (lightest) 2.04 kg; (2) (heaviest), (3) - both over 3 kg.

Consideration as Treasure

Chronologically the coins belong to one coinage system and form a discrete compositional group of coins that would have been current in Britain around the middle of the fourth century AD. The coins formed a single coherent group deposited in a small isolated pit.