Thornbury Hoard

51.6094°N 2.5249°W / 51.6094; -2.5249

Thornbury Hoard
Coins from the hoard, photographed in 2007
MaterialSilver, pottery
Size11,460 coins
Period/cultureRomano-British
DiscoveredThornbury, South Gloucestershire by Ken Allen in March, 2004
Present locationBristol City Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol
Identification2004 T147 (Fig 450)

The Thornbury Hoard is a hoard of 11,460 copper alloy Roman coins, mainly radiates and nummi, dating from 260 to 348, found in the back garden of Ken Allen in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, England while digging a pond in March 2004. It was described as the "third largest of its kind" found in Great Britain.[1][2]

Discovery, treatment and valuation

The hoard was discovered by Ken Allen while digging a pond in his back garden.[2] The coins were in a coarse grey ware decorated pot measuring 40–50 cm (16–20 in) high—thought to have originated in Caldicot, Monmouthshire—which had been damaged in the ground.[2]

Allen reported the find and took it to Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery where it was weighed in at 28.6 kg (63 lb), and "took two people to lift the bucket it had been collected in".[2] For the most part, the coins were readily identified after drying and chemical treatment.

At an inquest, the Coroner declared the hoard Treasure and a valuation committee subsequently valued it at £40,000.[1] Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery acquired the hoard, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Headley Museums Treasure Acquisition Scheme, and other organisational funding.[1]

Items discovered

The Hoard on display at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.

The hoard was said to be the "third largest of its kind"[2] and consisted of 11,449 copper alloy nummi and 11 copper alloy radiates, the earliest dating from during the reign of Gallienus in 260; the latest being struck in 348, during the Constantinian dynasty. However, the vast majority were minted in the 330s and consisted of three reverse types showing "Gloria Exercitus", meaning "to the glory of the army" – either carrying a reverse design of "two soldiers with legionary standards" or commemorative types depicting the Roman capitals of Rome and Constantinople. Others commemorated the battle of Chrysopolis fought between Constantine I and Licinius: these coins depict Victory standing on the prow of a ship.

The find was compared in size and constitution[1] to those of the Nether Compton (22,670 coins)[3] and Bishopswood (17,548 coins) hoards, found in 1989 and 1895 respectively.

ReignDate rangeNo. of coinsTypeNotes
Gallienus260–2682radiate
Claudius II268–2701radiate
Tetricus I/II271–2746radiate
Carausius287–2931radiate
1barbarous radiate
Constantine I313–31713nummiinc 2 nummus fractions
Constantine II318–33059nummi
Constantinian330–33511,232nummiGloria Exercitus (2 commemorative standards)
Constantinian335–34087nummiGloria Exercitus (legionary standard)
Constantinian341–3482nummiTwo Victories
49barbarous nummi
7uncertainillegible

See also

References

  1. "Treasure Annual Report 2004" (PDF). Department for Culture, Media and Sport. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  2. "Pots of money... Roman style!" (PDF). South Gloucestershire Council. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  3. "Nether Compton Hoard". Forum Ancient Coins. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
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