A late Roman coin hoard from the County Hospital site, Dorchester
A Late Roman Coin Hoard from Dorchester Nicholas Cooke This study examines a recently discovered Late Roman coin hoard found at the County Hospital site in Dorchester, England. The coins were scattered within the demolition rubble of a Late Roman building likely built in the late 3rd or 4th century AD. The composition of this hoard largely mirrors that of another hoard discovered during earlier excavations nearby. Both hoards offer insights into economic activity in the waning years of Roman rule in Dorchester. Introduction Ongoing excavations at the County Hospital site in Dorchester have yielded numerous Roman period finds, including a well-preserved mosaic. Of significant interest is a dispersed coin hoard found within a demolished Late Roman structure. This hoard, primarily composed of bronze coins from the House of Theodosius (388-402 AD), is suggestive of a deposition date in the early 5th century. Context and Comparisons The discovery is particularly intriguing due to its p...