File:Context 103 Spit 1. Silver coin cleaned for ID October 2017. Possibly commemorative coin of Claudius. Ob, l. DIVVS CLA-VS- . Rv chariot,r. building in background. EXSC . Recent damage to bare metal, a (FindID 863568-634328).jpg

Report for HM Coroner

Circumstances of discovery

Found by metal-detector users at a commercial rally on ploughed land in the parish of Askerswell, West Dorset, on 2nd September 2017. The find was brought to the attention of the Finds Liaison Officer Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen, who with the assistance of professional archaeologist Mike Trevarthen excavated, lifted and recorded the hoard (see unpublished report by RMA Trevarthen Archaeological Services). The investigation found that the hoard had been truncated by the plough and dispersed. However the base of the ceramic vessel in which it was contained remained in situ.

The coins recovered from the rally, subsequent excavation and metal-detecting survey of the site in November 2017 were brought to the British Museum. Surface dirt was removed in the Department of Conservation to allow them to be fully identified for the Treasure process. A few coins were submitted to the FLO by various finders subsequent to the discovery of the hoard. At least 14 finders have submitted coins from the hoard. The coins were kept separate by context and spit to determine any spatial variation in the distribution of coins within the hoard but this was not immediately apparent.

The coins

The coins in the hoard are all silver coins of the denomination commonly referred to as a denarius, plural denarii and date from Roman Republic (the earliest coin in the hoard was issued in 155 BC) to the reign of the emperor Domitian (AD 81 to 96, latest coin issued in AD 85). The group includes a denarius issued by King Juba I in Numidia. Roman Republican coins had a long period of circulation and the group is consistent with a hoard deposited in the late first century AD.

Associated artefacts

The hoard was contained in a Black Burnished Ware vessel, probably a jar of East Dorset manufacture. This is fully described in the excavation report. The vessel is in fragmentary condition with only the base and lower part surviving.

Summary:

Republic 205

Mark Antony 73

Juba I (60 - 46 BC) 1

Augustus (31 BC - AD 14) 54

Tiberius 34

Gaius 1

Claudius 12

Nero 25

Galba 14

Otho 12

Vitellius 30

Vespasian (AD 69-79) 131

Titus 13

Domitian 8

Titus (AD 79-81) 5

Domitian 2

Divus Vespasian 2

Domitian (AD 81-96) 2

Irregular 4

Total 628

Recommendation:

As a group of precious metal coins of the same find and over 300 years old, these coins and associated vessel are to be considered Treasure under the Treasure Act 1996.

Dr Eleanor Ghey

Curator: Iron Age and Roman Coin Hoards

The British Museum