The Royal Society Of Roman Coins

 Roman Republic Coin hoards of the in Barbaricum For more information visit:  https://journals.openedition.org/histoiremesure/884 Coin Hoards of the Roman Republic in Barbaricum, 1st-3rd Century Coins Uncovering the Past: Roman Coin Hoards in Barbaricum The term "Barbaricum" might transport your mind to visions of fierce warriors and distant lands beyond the Roman Empire's borders. But did you know that these territories hold hidden treasures - coin hoards offering unique glimpses into the economic and cultural crossroads of ancient Europe? Let's explore the fascinating world of Roman Republic coin hoards discovered in Barbaricum, focusing on the intriguing coins dating from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD. What are Coin Hoards, and Why Do They Matter? Coin hoards are collections of coins intentionally buried or stashed away in the past. They offer valuable insights for archaeologists and historians: Trade Routes: Hoards illuminate ancient trade networks, revealing th...

 The Shrewsbury Hoard: Illuminating Roman Shropshire The Shrewsbury Hoard stands as one of the most substantial coin repositories unearthed in Shropshire. Painstaking excavation, conservation, and scholarly inquiry have brought to light the intricacies of this Roman time capsule, its secrets undisturbed for nearly seventeen centuries. https://portableant.github.io/findsorgukblogs/the-marches/2011/10/25/the-shrewsbury-hoard-from-discovery-to-inquest/ Fortuitous Discovery As is so often the case, the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) was first alerted to this extraordinary find by a simple telephone call. Yet, rarely does the initial inquiry involve a declaration such as this: "Greetings. I have recently begun metal detecting and believe you may take an interest in my inaugural discovery  – a vessel seemingly brimming with coins." The accompanying photograph, portraying a Roman storage jar overflowing with coinage, wholly unprepared me for the scene to come. The hoard was uncov...

 Roman coin findspots in England 1997-2010 Roman Coin Findspots in England: A Legacy Unearthed (1997-2010) England's landscape holds a rich tapestry of history, with remnants of the mighty Roman Empire scattered across its counties. Coinage, in particular, provides fascinating insights into Roman Britain's economic activity, trade routes, and the ebb and flow of imperial rule. Between 1997 and 2010, a significant number of Roman coin findspots were unearthed and recorded, offering archaeologists and historians fresh perspectives on this captivating era. The Portable Antiquities Scheme: A Treasure Trove of Data The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), a voluntary initiative, plays a crucial role in documenting archaeological discoveries made by the public. Metal detectorists, farmers, and casual walkers contribute significantly to expanding our knowledge of Roman coin findspots throughout England. The PAS database provides an invaluable resource, revealing patterns and concentrati...

Trade The Roman Empire and the Free Germans Copyright Arnolds Spekke, 1957 Roman Economic Influence Beyond the Rhine: Coin Distribution in Free Germany The mighty Roman Empire, with its sophisticated economy and vast trade networks, exerted influence far beyond its formal borders. One area where this influence is clearly visible is in the archaeological record of Free Germany (Germania Magna). This region, encompassing lands east of the Rhine and north of the Danube, was never fully conquered by Rome.  Yet, the presence of Roman coins reveals a complex story of trade, exchange, and the allure of Roman wealth. Coinage as a Tool of Empire Roman coins, particularly silver denarii and gold aurei, were more than just currency; they were symbols of Roman power and prestige. Their circulation outside the Empire reflected both official Roman activities like paying troops and unofficial interactions such as trade or diplomatic gifts. By studying where and how many Roman coins are found in F...

The Cunetio Hoard Copyright: https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/ In the year of our Lord 1978, a remarkable treasure was unearthed at the site of the ancient Roman town of Cunetio, near Mildenhall in the county of Wiltshire. A hoard of no less than 54,951 coins, a cache unparalleled in all of Britannia's Roman past, was brought to light. The coins now reside under the careful guardianship of the esteemed British Museum, whilst the humble earthenware vessel that once concealed them stands on proud display at the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes. These coins, known as the Cunetio hoard, were interred within a large ceramic jar and a leaden box. The majority of the coins are base silver radiates, struck in great quantities before their burial circa 274 Anno Domini. Though the denarius had fallen largely out of favour by the time of the hoard's concealment, a surprising number of these older silver coins were discovered amidst the trove.  Curiously, it appears the Cunetio hoard, like t...

Copyright https://cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk/ The Hensgrove Hoard Perhaps the most renowned site amidst the verdant lands of England's southwest, forever entwined with the legacy of the Roman Empire, is Bath – a quaint town blessed with the gift of natural hot springs. Long before the mighty legions of Rome swept across Britannia, it was the Iron Age tribe of the Dobunni who inhabited the land. These folk held the springs as sacred, a shrine to the goddess Sulis, whose touch was said to possess wondrous powers of healing. Then came the Roman conquest in 43AD. Ever the builders, they swiftly erected a temple and a splendid spa complex around these steaming waters by 75AD.  Thus was born Aquae Sulis, 'the waters of Sulis,' a bustling heart of bathing and social revelry. Yet, as the 5th century dawned, the Roman grasp on Britannia waned. Within a hundred years, the once grand Roman Baths fell into obscurity, swallowed by the restless Avon River as its muddy banks overflowed. Bu...

The Plovdiv Hoard of 2012 In this very century, a most curious discovery! Within the ancient Roman Forum, no less than forty silver coins were unearthed. The most recent amongst them hail from the reign of Emperor Philip I (who ascended the throne in 244 AD). Alas, further particulars lie hidden in the mists of time. Origin Bulgaria Location details Centred on field Ancient Site The venerable city once called Philippopolis, known also as Trimontium. A Brief and Remarkable History of Philippopolis In the year 342 before the birth of our Lord, Philip II, the mighty King of Macedon, did subdue the Thracian settlement known as Eumolpias, imprinting his regal name upon it. With the steady march of time, Philippopolis fell under the sway of the Roman Empire, becoming a cornerstone, indeed the very capital, of the province of Thracia. Renowned chronicler Ammianus Marcellinus tells us that during the zenith of Roman rule, Philippopolis swelled with a populace numbering a hundred thousand souls...

Discovered in 1973-1974 Ickham, Kent. England – A Treasure Trove of Roman Relics The village of Ickham, nestled amidst the verdant Kentish countryside, has yielded a remarkable bounty of Roman artifacts. Extensive and meticulous excavations, undertaken in the years 1873 and 1874,  have unearthed a staggering 4,610 coins from the Roman era, alongside more than 3000 other curious objects. Over half of these treasures were discovered upon the very surface by keen-eyed observers armed with those novel contraptions, the metal detectors. The remainder were retrieved from the earth's stratified embrace, though not all could be definitively linked to specific corners of the sprawling dig. Mr. Ian Riddler, a scholar of numismatics, has pored over the coin collection and suggests the presence of hidden hoards within these scattered deposits. He writes, "Whether veritable hoards lay secreted within the soil or not, any notion of votive offerings seems improbable. Such rituals typically l...

Roman currency Roman Coinage Throughout the grand march of Roman history, from the early days of the Republic in the third century before Christ and into the venerable years of Empire, currency in precious metals – gold, silver, bronze, orichalcum, and copper – formed the backbone of their system of exchange. Yet, these coins were witness to a persistent woe; over the centuries their forms, values, and very composition were subject to a steady process of debasement and alteration. Particularly striking examples of this phenomenon emerged after the interventions of Emperor Diocletian, a trend that alas, continued throughout the long life of Byzantine money. Such was the might and enduring sway of the Roman imperium that their currency found widespread use across Western Eurasia and the northern reaches of Africa, both in their own era and well into the Middle Ages that followed. Indeed, those coins served as exemplars for Islamic caliphates and the various kingdoms ...