Recent Posts

Pages: 1 2 3 [4] 5 6 ... 10
31
Resources / Re: Recent Discoveries of Tetrarchic Hoards from Roman Britain
« Last post by Heliodromus on March 30, 2024, 03:23:08 PM »
There's also a free PDF version available, which apparently only differs in having lower resolution photos (but OTOH, you can copy them, which is useful).

https://britishmuseum.iro.bl.uk/concern/books/c640c432-9184-49eb-9676-28f95b671655?locale=en

The BM's server seems to be overloaded, but I tried a few dozen times over a couple of days and was finally able to get it. Might be less load late at night, perhaps.

The images, while small, are still quite serviceable, such as attached one from the Tomares hoard.

There was one piece of info I wasn't aware of about the Rauceby hoard, which is that in the (limestone lined) pit the pot was buried in there was some burnt organic matter underneath the pot, which they are suggesting may have been some sort of (sacrificial) offering. The authors also note that the limestone blocks covering the pot were very similar to those lining the pit, suggesting it was buried all at once. I still find it hard to believe this was a votive offering though, as opposed to being buried for safekeeping, perhaps while the owner went off to war (never to return).

One thing I noticed about the BM's numbering scheme for the Rauceby coins is that they are numbered by type, not by specimen. When I bought my Rauceby coin (RIC 66 - London Constantine) I was told it was BM # 102, so was initially surprised that this report/book illustrates a different coin for # 102. I then realized that the hoard had 11 specimens of RIC 66 (!!) all listed as part of type/number 102. Quite a wide weight variation of ~2g among these 11 specimens, with mine the heaviest at 11.3g.

It's really a shame that the Rauceby finders chose to remove the coins ("for safety") from the pot rather than leaving it to the pros who would have recorded the different layers of coins in the pot, which would have helped confirm or refute the theory that the coins were all deposited at the same time.


32
Resources / Recent Discoveries of Tetrarchic Hoards from Roman Britain
« Last post by Victor on March 29, 2024, 01:13:20 PM »

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Recent-Discoveries-of-Tetrarchic-Hoards-from-Roman-Britain-and-their-Wider-Context-Paperback/p/49400

"This volume was prompted by the recent discovery in Britain of two large coin hoards dating from the first decade of the fourth century AD – Wold Newton and Rauceby. Coins of this early Tetrarchic period are relatively uncommon finds in Britain and elsewhere, due mainly to the brevity of their periods of issue followed by successive reductions in the weight of the coinage. The book also republishes the 1944 Fyfield hoard within the context of these more recent finds and contains preliminary reports on two very large hoards of coins of the same period that have been found in recent years in France (Juillac) and Spain (Tomares).The Tetrarchic system of rule (AD 293−c. 313) was initiated by the Roman Emperor Diocletian to stabilise the Roman Empire, with the rule of the western and eastern Empire being split between two senior emperors and their two junior colleagues. The transition from the third to fourth century AD is a pivotal phase in the history of Roman Britain, with Britain coming once again under the control of the Empire following periods of turbulence and usurper rule between AD 260−296. Under the Tetrarchy, Britain was subjected to the extensive monetary reforms undertaken by Diocletian which saw the introduction of the denomination now referred to as the nummus. The period is of particular interest to numismatists as during this time Roman coinage was minted in Britain at the mint of London. The volume therefore covers not just the hoards themselves, but also considers the wider significance of these hoards for Britain and the early fourth century monetary economy, particularly in the western empire."
33
COTD / Constantine I SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI from Rome and Ostia
« Last post by Victor on March 28, 2024, 02:55:07 PM »
two SPQR's

This type, which copies a Trajan reverse, commemorates Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the battle of Milvian bridge; and was struck only by the mints he had just gained control over - Rome and Ostia (then Arles after Ostia shut down and transferred there).

 


Constantine I
A.D. 312-313
20x21mm    4.4g
IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI; Legionary eagle (to the left) between two vexilla, that on left surmounted by a right hand, that on right by a wreath; flag on the eagle.
in ex R S
RIC VI Rome 350

 


Constantine I
A.D. 312-313
19x21mm   4.8g
IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate and cuirassed bust right.
SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI; Legionary eagle (to the left) between two vexilla, that on left surmounted by a right hand, that on right by a wreath; flag on the eagle.
in ex MOSTT
RIC VI Ostia 94

34
COTD / Maxentius CONSERV VRB SVAE from Ticinum
« Last post by Victor on March 25, 2024, 10:36:53 AM »
here's a decent dated Maxentius

 


Maxentius
A.D. 308- 309
26mm 6.2g
IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG CONS; laureate bust facing left in imperial mantle, left hand holding eagle-tipped scepter.
CONSERV VRB SVAE; Roma seated facing, head left, in hexastyle temple, right hand holding globe, left scepter; knobs as acroteria, pediment empty.
In ex. ST
RIC VI Ticinum 103
35
COTD / Re: Constantine I CONSERVATORES KART SVAE from Carthage
« Last post by Nikko on March 20, 2024, 12:49:35 PM »
Nice! With a regular flan. These folles have usually been struck with flan with very irregular edges.
36
COTD / Constantine I CONSERVATORES KART SVAE from Carthage
« Last post by Victor on March 20, 2024, 09:36:40 AM »
a new upgrade

 


Constantine I
A.D. 307
24x25mm 6.3g
CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES; laureate head right
CONSERVATORES KART SVAE; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands, within hexastyle temple
with plain pediment.
In ex. PKΔ
RIC VI Carthage 61
37
COTD / Re: SOLI INV-I-CTO COMITI for Constantine
« Last post by Heliodromus on March 17, 2024, 06:24:03 PM »
I agree.

The engraver needs some anatomy lessons though!
38
COTD / Re: Constatius follis from Trier
« Last post by Victor on March 17, 2024, 06:13:06 PM »
it's not in RIC for this obverse legend with bust type D (seen from rear)
39
COTD / Re: SOLI INV-I-CTO COMITI for Constantine
« Last post by Victor on March 17, 2024, 06:03:14 PM »
standing left...since it looks like the other leg is slightly bent.
40
COTD / Re: SOLI INV-I-CTO COMITI for Constantine
« Last post by Nikko on March 17, 2024, 05:39:54 PM »
 :-\ ..and what about this Sol?
Standing left, head left or standing right, headl left? 
Pages: 1 2 3 [4] 5 6 ... 10