File:2012 T140 Roman coin hoard (FindID 490877).jpg

English: The find contained 1062 copper alloy coins of the denomination known as radiates, (originally a silver multiple of the denarius, but gradually becoming debased to the eventual point of being essentially bronze (c.1% silver)). The coins found range in date from the AD 250s to AD 283. The coins were of variable condition, with some of the excavation coins in particular being fragmentary and worn. It seems likely that the coins retrieved by excavation were part of the same hoard (these ranged from Gallienus to Probus). A summary of the contents by imperial reign is included below (including the portion found in the subsequent excavation):

Summary of coins

Central empire

Valerian and Gallienus AD 253-60

Valerian I 0

Gallienus 0

Salonina 1

Gallienus, AD 260-68 119

Salonina 5

(Joint or sole reign) Salonina 2

Claudius II, AD 268-70 96

Divus Claudius II 10

Quintillus, AD 270 5

Aurelian, AD 270-5 14

Tacitus, AD 275-6 16

Probus, AD 276-82 28

Carus, AD 282-3 1

Gallic empire

Postumus, AD 260-9 24

Laelian (AD 269) 3

Marius (AD 269) 4

Victorinus (AD 269-71) 209

Divus Victorinus 1

Tetricus I (AD 271-4) 276

Tetricus II 135

Uncertain Gallic emperor 40

Uncertain emperor 55 (+ 19 fragments)

Irregular 18

Total 1062 (+ 19 fragments)

The associated artefacts

(by Belinda Crerar, Department of Prehistory and Europe, the British Museum)

Objects from the original find:

Four undiagnostic sherds of coarse pottery of light brown-grey fabric with large black inclusions were found. The thickness and shallow curvature of the larger fragments indicates that they are from a large, wide vessel with thick walls.

Seven small irregular fragments of copper alloy sheet were also found. The largest fragment has traces of a white metal adhering to one surface.

These are probably Iron Age or Roman in date.

Excavation objects:

Cu alloy vessel:

Three large and 15 small fragments of a thin-walled cu alloy vessel. The largest fragment is from the base of the vessel with a shallow portion of the wall still attached in places. This fragment measures a maximum of 120.5mm x 99.0mm in diameter. It is flat and the remainder of one edge indicates a circular shape, 0.9mm think and weighing 32.0g. Two other large fragments derive from the walls of the vessel and are gently curved. They measure a maximum of 84.7mm x 41.0mm and 77.7mm x 30.5mm and weigh 9.0g and 6.5g respectively. Both are 0.9mm thick.

From the curvature of the edge of the base, it is estimated that the base would have been approximately 12cm in diameter. The curvature of the wall fragments suggests maximum diameter of approximately 15cm for the bowl, tapering inwards slightly towards the rim.

The fragments are all undecorated though one tiny fragment (SF 14) may have been coated with a silver metal

The vessel is likely to be Iron Age or Roman in date

Slag:

Nine lumps of iron slag and one of an unknown metal. The largest measures 79.7mm x 67.7mm x 40.7mm and weighs 293.6g.

Their date is unknown though likely to be Iron Age or Roman if associated with the hoard.

Button:

A button with a pronounced convex upper surface and a central pimple, and a slightly convex lower surface. Two small circular depressions on the underside mark the position of the now missing attachment loop. The button measures 12.3mm in diameter, 6.7mm in height and weighs 3.6g. It is probably 17th-18th century in date. Analysis has confirmed that the button is made of a tin-rich alloy of copper and has significantly less that 10% silver and this item therefore falls outside the provisions of the Treasure Act 1996 as it is not associated with the other items found.