File:2009 T465 Roman coin, siliqua (2 of 5). (FindID 269174).jpg

English: TREASURE CASE 2009 T465 Late Roman coin hoard with associated gold ring. These finds are an addition to the coin hoard reported as 2009 T3.

The additional coins comprise of: 1 gold solidus 4 silver silquae, and an additional siliqua fragment 1 copper alloy nummus

Catalogue by Laura McLean (Essex Finds Liaison Officer)

Gold finger ring with a dark green glass setting (see report by Richard Hobbs below).

Solidus of Honorius D N HONORI VS P F AVG Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right VICTORI A AVGGG Standing figure, right holding standard and trampling ?barbarian. Mint mark M/D//COMOB 20.51mm, 4.44 grams.

Five siliquae:

1) Siliqua of Theodosius Obverse: D N THEODO SIVS PF AVG Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right Reverse: VIRTVS ROMANORVM Standing figure, left, holding victory and spear Mint mark TRPS, Trier 17.78mm, 1.59 grams.

2) This coin Siliqua of Honorius Obverse: D N HONORI... Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right Reverse: Seated figure, left VIRT... Mint mark: MDPS 15.35mm, 1.08 grams.

3) Clipped siliqua Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right VICTOR... Victory standing left. 13.84mm, 1.14 grams

4) Clipped siliqua Obverse: pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right Reverse: seated figure Mint mark is possibly Trier (TRP) 12.91mm, 0.86 grams.

5) Siliqua fragment. Obverse: right facing bust Reverse: seated figure 8.69mm by 7.09mm, weight 0.46 grams. Nummus CONSTANTINVS Wreath with VOT/X Mint STR 18.22mm, 1.76 grams.

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Notes on report to HM CORONER:

One copper-alloy, five gold, and 12 silver Roman coins and a Roman gold finger ring found at UTTLESFORD, ESSEX

This report will consider these coins with respect to the criteria laid down in the Treasure act (1996): Namely, their age, precious metal content and whether the coins can be said to come from the same find.

Circumstances of Find The items considered here were discovered with the use of a metal detector during December 2008 - August 2009 and were reported to Laura McLean (FLO Essex), who has produced a catalogue and recorded the items on the PAS online database. However, an initial discovery of the first gold coin was made in 2007. This does not qualify as treasure but was recorded on the PAS database as ESS-202055.

In December 2008 a second coin was found at the same location and as such was reported as Treasure (2009 T3).

In February 2009 an additional 3 solidi and 6 siliqua were discovered and added to the same Treasure case number.

A further addenda of one gold, one copper alloy and five silver coins was found together with a gold ring, 29-30 August 2009, and were recorded as Treasure case 2009 T465 (PAS ref: ESS-OAC4B1 - this record).

Description of Find Ranging in date from AD 360-406 and minted at various mint sites throughout the empire, these coins represent the final epoch of Roman authority over Britain. They include the three main coin denominations of the period: the gold solidus, the silver siliqua and the bronze nummus. Indeed the nature of the silver coins, which have been clipped of the silver at their edges, indicate that they are part of the recycled coin which had continued to be used during the early fifth century after the island was cut off and no new issues were available (AD c.410).

Catalogue (Note: the norm during the late empire was for colleges of two or more emperors, at least one in the east and one in the west. Mints usually stuck coins honouring the other emperor(s) as well as of their particular territory).

Description of Entire Hoard: 2009 T3, 2009 T3 addendum and 2009T 465

Five gold solidi, 12 silver siliquae and a copper-alloy nummus:

Gold solidi

• AD 395-406, Honorius, 5

Silver siliquae (mostly clipped)

• AD 360-3 Julian 3
• AD 367-83 Gratian, 2
• AD 375-92 Valentinian II, 1
• AD 379-95 Theodosius I, 1
• AD 383-8, Magnus Maximus, 1
• AD 387-8, Flavius Victor, 1
• AD 392-94, Eugenius, 1
• AD 395-402, Honorius, 1
• Uncertain siliqua fragment, 1

Nummus

• AD 323-4 Constantine II Caesar, 1

Gold ring associated with 2009 T465 (by Dr Richard Hobbs, dept. of Prehistory & Europe, British Museum):

Gold openwork finger-ring with rectangular gem set bezel. The openwork hoop is of flat and constant width and is rectangular in section. The openwork consists of two strips of opposed 'zig zag' wire encased on both sides with flat wire strips and sandwiching a further gold strip in the centre. The shoulders are decorated with scrolls which enclose gold granules at each corner of the box setting. The rectangular box setting has high, thin sides and a surrounding rope flange. It contains a slightly convex dark green glass gem. Although the hoop has been squashed flat, the ring is intact. The ring has strong parallels with a ring in the Thetford treasure (now in the British Museum: <a href="http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/g/thetford_treasure_gold_rings.aspx">www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/g/thetford_treasure_gold_rings.aspx</a>). There is a possibility this piece is the product of the same workshop.

Date: mid to late 4^th century AD, Length of bezel: 13.7mm Width of bezel: 11.3mm Weight: 5.8g.

Conclusion On the balance of probabilities, therefore, I conclude that these coins belong together as a hoard and constitute a prima facie case of treasure (with the exception of the first gold coin, ESS-202055 which cannot be considered here) by being precious metal coins of an antiquity greater than 300 years and are of one find of more than two pieces. The single bronze coin and the gold ring are likewise treasure through their association.

Report for HM Coroner by: Richard Abdy Dept. of Coins and Medals British Museum 28.4.10