File:2012 T326 iron Age coin hoard (FindID 614763-467096).jpg

English: Report by Ian Leins, Curator of Iron Age and Roman Coins, The British Museum.

November 2012.

Description

All six coins are British Iron Age silver coins of the North Eastern regional series, which was produced in Lincolnshire and neighbouring counties from about 60/50 BC. Coins of this series are traditionally associated with the Corieltavi, who are known to have inhabited this region in the Roman period and perhaps before. The coins are silver 'half-units' inscribed with the name(s) VOLISIOS DVMNOVE(llaunos). They can be dated to about AD 20/30-50.

The coins are of the type ABC 1998 (Cottam et al, Ancient British Coinage, 2010, p. 102).

1. 0.44g - VOL[I] / [S]IO[S] DVM N [O] VE (VE conjoined)

2. 0.40g - [V]OLI / [S]IO[S] [D]VM N [O] VE (VE conjoined)

3. 0.36g (broken) - [V]OL[I] / [S]IO[S] DVM N O VE (VE conjoined)

4. 0.36g - VOL[I] / [S]IO[S] DVM N O VE (VE conjoined)

5. 0.35g - VOLI / [S]IO[S] [D]VM N O VE (VE conjoined)

6. 0.25g (fragment) - VO[LI] / [S]IO[S] [D]VM [N O VE]

It should be noted that all of the coins appear to have been struck with the same obverse and reverse punches (or 'dies'). This is certainly the case for the better preserved coins, nos. 1 and 5. This suggests that the coins probably remained together, as part of the same group, from the time of their production until they were lost or deliberately buried.

Discussion

These coins satisfy all the criteria of Treasure as defined by the terms of the Treasure Act (1996). The types and the circumstances of discovery leave little doubt that they represented a single group at the point of their loss/burial. They are certainly over 300 years old and would have metal contents well above the 10% precious metal threshold.

Conclusion

This group should be considered a prima facie case of treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act (1996).