2024-03-29T09:19:07+00:00https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/jsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/xmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/rsshttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/atomhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/kmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/geojsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/qrcodehttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results71208Norfolk10CountyStruck or hammered18ROMAN1Certain2821164Metal detectorBM0443D7.jpg72382022From finderConstantius_II2241solidus7102352478111RO
Coin recorded from information and images kindly supplied by the finder
DistrictCertain410833constantius_iiBM702422.4348Restricted Accessx412184.47treveriNorth Norfolk10892Solidus2022-04-08T15:24:46ZReturned to finderEasternCircaCertain
A gold Roman solidus of Constantius II (AD 323-361), dating to the period c.AD 347-348 (Reece period 18). VICTORIAE DD NN AVGG reverse type depicting Two Victories standing facing one another holding a wreath inscribed VOT/XX/MVLT/XXX. Mint of Trier. RIC VIII, p. 147, no. 132. This type is not recorded in Bland and Loriot (2010) amongst the 19 British finds of solidi noted by them for Constantius II.
Andrew BrownConstantius II10939023StiffkeyBM-044EC61061032Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust rightVICTORIAE DD NN AVGG11ROMANCOINRestricted Accessfinds-10610321112834517Trier81BM-0443D76Complete347x41218images/aibrown/111785051PAS6250443D0017F632022-04-08T15:18:37ZTwo Victories standing facing one another holding a wreath inscribed VOT/XX/MVLT/XXXCertainx412182-//TRRegular2022-03-10T00:00:00Z121For inclusion in British Numismatic Journal ‘Coin Register’CertainROMANGold41425x29357RO1Circa21http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ROMANCertainCONSTANTI-VS AVGVSTVSCivil Parish12022-07-14T07:16:35.065ZSuffolk1CountyStruck or hammered18ROMAN1Certain3182943Metal detectorNMS453EDD.jpg159342018Centred on fieldMagnentius71solidus156331RODistrictCertain411133NMS15674351Thrandestonx412184.27aquileiaMid Suffolk10892Solidus2020-05-06T14:51:31ZReturned to finderEasternCircaCertain
A gold Roman solidus of Magnentius (AD 351-353), dating to the period c.AD 351 (Reece period 18). VICTORIA AVG LIB ROMANOR• reverse type depicting Victory right holding palm over left shoulder, Libertas standing left holding transverse sceptre, both of them holding the shaft of a trophy between them. Mint of Aquileia. As RIC VIII, p. 327, no. 137.
Weight 4.27g.
Andrew BrownMagnentius187290231.09539686NMS-3D475A965340Bare headed, draped, and cuirassed bust rightVICTORIA AVG LIB ROMANOR•11E20292ROMANCOINTM1175finds-9653401112845490Aquileia101NMS-453EDDComplete351x41218images/amarsden/110676241PAS5D4453ED001D8832019-08-02T16:17:01ZVictory right holding palm over left shoulder, Libertas standing left holding transverse sceptre, both of them holding the shaft of a trophy between themCertainx412182-//•SMAQRegular2018-01-01T00:00:00Z21Certain2018-05-21T23:00:00Z52.33249184ROMANGold41425x31012RO1Circa21http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ROMANCertainD N MAGNEN-TIVS P F AVGCivil Parish12022-07-14T07:15:26.066Zfinds-961531961531NMS-F56DAECOINROMANDescription: A cut half of a gold semissis of Constantius II (AD 323-361), dating to the period c. AD 340-350 (Reece period 18). Reverse type GAVDIVM POPVLI ROMANI, depicting the legend SIC/V/SIC/X within a wreath. Mint of Arles. The coin has been deliberately cut across the centre, with a single cut creating a neat vertical edge with transverse striations.
Dimensions: Length along cut edge 16mm. Width perpendicular to cut edge 8mm. Weight 1.14g.
Discussion: A semissis of this type is listed in RIC VIII, p. 207, no. 61, for Constans, with a solidus in the same series for Constantius II (RIC 59). The weight of this example suggests a semissis rather than solidus, which would be unlisted in RIC.
There are a few known examples of cut gold late Roman coins on the PAS database, such as NARC-B63118 (2017T841) and HAMP-56B91A (2017T791). Both of these are irregularly cut fragments of less than a quarter of the coin. Cut silver Roman coins are unsurprisingly far more common, and include the neat halves of SF-50F6AD, BH-FB8884, SF-2E0E63 and LVPL-C6E3B5, as well as smaller fragments such as LON-8118D4 or SF-D6195E.
It is not certain why coins were cut in this way. A precise half, such as this example, might be thought of as a piece of bullion with the convenient weight of exactly half a semissis (but without the conventional complete imperial bust which guarantees the value of a coin as currency).. A function as small change seems to have been possible for some very early Roman copper-alloy coins in Gaul (Kiernan 2001, 30) but seems less appropriate for this very valuable coin. A function as friendship tokens has also been suggested for the neatly halved coins (Buttrey 1972, 31-32; quoted in Kiernan 2001, 31)
A ritual function has been suggested for both the neatly halved and the smaller fragments, which look more like defaced or mutilated objects. Before the advent of the PAS, they were found primarily at ritual or religious sites, mainly in the south of England, together with other deliberately bent or broken objects (Kiernan 2001, 25-28).
Date: The coin was issued c. 340-350 AD. It may have been cut for ritual reasons shortly afterwards, or converted to bullion after the end of Roman rule in Britain, when a monetary economy was no longer in operation.
References:
Kiernan, P. 2001. ‘The ritual mutilation of coins on Romano-British sites’ British Numismatic Journal 71, 18-33.
Buttrey, T. 1972. 'Halved coins, the Augustan reform, and Horace, Odes 1.3', American Journal of Archaeology 76, 31-48.This coin is manufactured from precious metal and is over 300 years old. It shows clear evidence of having been modified, which on the balance of probabilities indicates a secondary function probably either as ritual object or as bullion. Precious metal coins of this age that have been modified for a secondary, non-currency use are considered as objects (rather than coins) for the purposes of determining their status under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996. This object should, therefore, be considered as Treasure.212134035012020T68413NMS2018-10-01T00:00:00Z2018-10-31T00:00:00Z30071IT1020182022,4022.1British Museum2019-07-05T14:55:38Z2023-08-27T01:01:43Z1.14PAS5D1F56DA001E66123522141425723867206724NorfolkSouth NorfolkBracon AshTG180052.554156041.21426910NMS-F573B81088555Diademed, draped, and cuirassed(?) bust right[...]-NTIVS P F AVGThe legend SIC/V/SIC/X within a wreath[GAVDIVM P]OPVLI ROMANI / [SI]C/[V/SI]C/[X]18-//[...]RLArelatum148217arelate12723112x28181SemissisConstantius IIconstantius_iiConstantius_II35247811Gold10892Struck or hammeredIncompleteROMANx41218ROMANx41218x41218Metal detectorAcquired by museum after being declared TreasureNMSF56DAE.jpg1088812images/amarsden/EasternCertain12023-08-27T00:01:43.745Z8Suffolk100CountyStruck or hammered18ROMAN1Certain3036938Metal detectorRoman_coin_14_152_1.jpg159342014Generated from computer mapping softwareConstantius_II81solidus15922352478111RO
This is probably a contemporary copy as the lettering is slightly irregular, 'D N' is missing from the start of the obverse legend, the coin is doublestruck and there should be a break in the reverse legend on a fraction.
1DistrictCertain4108185constantius_iiBH1586715.03360Restricted Accessx41218263478211.74arelateForest Heath10892Solidus (fraction)2015-03-04T14:52:03ZReturned to finderEasternCirca
A gold contemporary copy of a fraction of a 1.5 scripulum of Constantius II, dating to the period AD 355 - 360 (Reece period 18). VICTORIA AVGVSTORM reverse depicting Victory seated right on cuirass, supporting on left knee a shield on which she inscribes 'VOT/XXXX'; before her stands a small genius supporting the shield. Doublestruck on reverse. Prototype coin: cf. RIC VIII, p. 222, no. 241 (Arles) and Depeyrot p. 133, no. 5/4.
Diameter: 15.03mm; thickness: 1mm. Weight: 1.74g.
Vincent DrostConstantius II14821723MildenhallBH-E2FDD3647805Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.VICTORIA AVGVST-ORVM21Ver 14/152 - 1ROMANCOINRestricted Accessfinds-6478051112723112Arelatum61BH-E2D59612Complete355x41218images/jwatters/14916151PAS545E2D5900167432014-11-08T14:48:57ZVictory seated right on cuirass, supporting on left knee a shield on which she inscribes 'VOT/XXXX'; before her stands a small genius supporting the shield.Certainx412182- -//KONSAContemporary copy2014-10-04T23:00:00Z121For inclusion in British Numismatic Journal ‘Coin Register’CertainROMANGold41425x28181RO1Circa21http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ROMANCertainCONSTAN-TIVS AVGCivil Parish2022-07-14T07:12:05.307ZLate8Isle of Wight1Unitary AuthorityStruck or hammered18ROMAN1CertainLate2821164Metal detectorIOW2014-5-76b.JPG254692014GPS (from the finder)GoodMagnentius2241solidus116104RO
This is the eighth gold coin of Magnentius recorded from Britain (see Bland and Loriot 2010, p. 360).
Bland, R. and Loriot, X. 2010. Roman and Early Byzantine Gold Coins found in Britain and Ireland. Royal Numismatic Society Special Publication No. 46
Unitary AuthorityCertain411133IOW2546921.3351Restricted Accessx41218263506454.64treveriIsle of Wight10892Solidus2015-04-24T10:26:47ZReturned to finder3South EastExactlyCertain
A complete Roman gold solidus of Magnentius (AD 350-353) dating to the period AD 350-351 (Reece period 18). VICTORIA AVG LIB ROMANOR reverse type depicting Victory standing right and Libertas standing left, holding transverse sceptre, both holding a shaft carrying a trophy. Mint of Trier. Mintmark: -//TR
Obverse: IM CAE MAGN - ENTIVS AVG; Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed right (slight bust)
Reverse: VICTORIA•AVG•LIB•ROMANOR; Victory standing right and Libertas standing left, holding transverse sceptre, both holding a shaft carrying a trophy. Libertas' hand is above Victory's on the shaft
Diameter: 21.3mm. Weight: 4.64g. DA=12:6.
RIC VIII, p. 155, cf. 247
Vincent DrostMagnentius10939023Isle of Wight3IOW-92D59E631827Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed right (slight bust)VICTORIA•AVG•LIB•ROMANOR11IOW2014-5-76ROMANCOINRestricted Accessfinds-6318274112834517Trier101IOW-923F8F6Complete350x41218images/fbasford/14801011PAS53E923F8001F7032014-08-11T21:13:44ZVictory standing right and Libertas standing left, holding transverse sceptre, both holding a shaft carrying a trophy. Libertas’ hand is above Victory’s on the shaftCertainx412182-//TRRegular2014-08-02T23:00:00Z121For inclusion in British Numismatic Journal ‘Coin Register’Certain2ROMANGold41421x29357RO1Exactly21http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ROMANFinderCertainIM CAE MAGN – ENTIVS AVGCivil Parish12022-07-14T07:11:56.076ZSuffolk10CountyStruck or hammered18ROMAN1Certain734077Metal detectorHTT_SF-8A2A34.jpg159342012Generated from computer mapping softwareConstantius_II2171solidus15727352478111RODistrictCertain410833constantius_iiSF1567422.07355Restricted Accessx41218263478284.5thessalonicaMid Suffolk10892Solidus2012-05-16T16:41:00ZReturned to finderEasternCircaCertain
A gold Roman solidus of Constantius II, c.350-355 AD. Reverse: GLORIA-REI-PVBLICA, Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned. Roma facing holding spear in left hand, Constantinopolis left with sceptre in left hand and right foot resting on prow. Between them a wreath inscribed VOT/XXX/MVLT/XXXX. As RIC 8 no. 147, however the reverse type and particularly the lettering of the legend, which should read GLORIA REI PVBLICAE, suggest that this is an ancient copy rather than an official issue (R. Bland & P. Walton pers. comm.).
At the start of the reign of Valentinian I (AD 364-75), the gold coinage was reformed and the purity of the coins strictly monitored. This was because forged coins of light weight or poor gold were being produced, sometimes by officials working for the government. This coin is an ancient copy. It is of good weight, but it would be interesting to know its gold content - there is a strong chance that it will be below official standards. This is the type of coin that the reforms of Valentinian were trying to drive out of circulation (Sam Moorhead).
Sam MoorheadConstantius II49174123HessettSF-8A4C85492951Diademed and cuirassed bust facing wearing crested and diademed helmet, spear diagonally over right shoulder, on left arm shield decorated with horseman riding down enemyGLORIA-REI-PVBLICA11ROMANCOINRestricted Accessfinds-4929511112839683Thessalonica81SF-8A2A347Complete350x41218images/abrown/13732331PAS4F58A2A30017BE32012-03-08T12:14:30ZRoma and Constantinopolis enthroned. Roma facing holding spear in left hand, Constantinopolis left with sceptre in left hand and right foot resting on prow. Between them a wreath inscribed VOT/XXX/MVLT/XXXXCertainx412182-//*TES*Regular2012-03-01T00:00:00Z21CertainROMANGold41425x29742RO1Circa21http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ROMANCertainFL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVGCivil Parish12022-07-14T07:10:38.414ZPembrokeshire1Unitary Authority18ROMANUnknown25490Julian_the_Apostate253solidus2396657406701779RO
This data is sourced from the corpus of work produced by Peter Guest and Nick Wells, entitled "Iron Age and Roman coins of Wales. There are no images to accompany this series and our staff did not identify these coins. Questions about these data should be directed to Dr Guest/ Dr Wells.
Unitary Authority11433IARCW25490363Restricted Accessx4121837109Pembrokeshire10892Solidus2010-03-21T16:03:00ZWales
A Solidus of Julian (360-363)
Reverse: Uncertain
Reference: UncertainDaniel PettJulian23TenbyIARCW-6823E2DF1D36516811779//1ROMANCOINRestricted Accessfinds-36516813Uncertain100IARCW-63DAF2120360x41218images/pguest/IAR4BA63D60002725650B32010-03-21T16:03:00ZUncertainx41218Uncertain0Regular21ROMANGold41424RO121ROMANCertainCommunity2022-07-14T07:09:22.351Z