The Roman Villa at Minster in Thanet. Part 2: Iron-Age, Roman and post-Roman Coinage

THE ROMAN VILLA AT MINSTER-IN- THANE T. PART 2: THE IRON-AGE, ROMAN AND LATER COINAGE DAVID J. HOLMAN AND KEITH PARFITT The excavations undertaken jointly by the Kent Archaeological Society, the Thanet Archaeological Society and the Trust for Thanet Archaeology at the important Roman villa complex at Abbey Farm, Minster-in-Thanet were completed in 2004 after eight seasons of work (Perkins 1996; 1999; 2004; Perkins and Parfitt 2004). The villa site lies on a hilltop, overlooking the modem village of Minster and the former Wantsum Channel (NGR TR 3135 6463). The investigations have succeeded in locating and excavating seven separate Roman buildings, set in and around a large rectangular walled enclosure (Buildings 1-7; Perkins 2004, fig. 4; see Pout 2004 for a note on the newly discovered Building 7). The heavily ploughdamaged remains of the main house (Building 1) consist of a classic 'winged-corridor' villa. Study of the large collection of finds recovered from the 1996-2004 investigations is progressing and a series of reports on the results of the work are in preparation. It is proposed to publish details of the excavated remains and artefacts by instalment, in order to allow texts of a manageable size to appear within the pages of Archaeologia Cantiana. The first site report, describing the villa's location and the detached bathhouse (Building 3), appeared in Vol. cxx1v (Perkins 2004). Our second report describes the Iron-Age, Roman and post-Roman coinage recovered during the course of the investigations. Due to the heavily ploughed nature of the site (Perkins 2004, 25), the bulk of the coins were recovered by metal-detector from the plough-soil sealing the remains, with less than twenty specimens from stratified deposits within the excavated villa complex (Tables 1 and 2). Despite the general lack of stratified material, the coins from Abbey Farm provide significant evidence for the overall dating of the site and details of the assemblage are set out below. Coins from excavations and metal-detecting, 1996-2004 Between 1996 and 2001 only 24 coins were recovered from the investigations 203 DAVID J. HOLMAN AND KEITH PARFITT but 2002 saw the first of three seasons of controlled metal detector survey undertaken across the villa complex. These surveys were largely responsible for the recovery of a further 121 coins. An overall total of 145 coins is thus recorded from the work conducted between 1996 and 2004 (Table 1). This significant assemblage provides a much more complete and accurate picture of site activity and history than would have been the case if metal detectors had not been employed. For the purpose of recording detector finds from the plough-soil, findspots were marked with flags, labelled and subsequently plotted by EDM, allowing the general distribution of coins (and other artefacts) to be recorded. From this, it is clear that most coins came from the immediate area of the villa complex itself and from the southern ( downhill) end of the field. Very few coins were found to the north of the villa, although much less searching was conducted in that area. Despite conditions being rather more conducive to metal detecting in 2004 than in the two previous seasons, the number of coins found in each year was fairly constant, varying between 35 and 45 per season. Many of these plough-soil finds are poorly preserved and stand in contrast to the smaller number of coins recovered from stratified deposits (Tables 1 and 2) which are generally in rather better condition, suggesting that fanning activities and climate are principal factors in the deterioration of metal objects in the soil. Iron-Age Coinage The earliest coins recovered during the investigations were three late IronAge issues. These are all of bronze, one dating to the later first century BC and the others to the early first century AD. Of these, a coin of Eppillus (c.AD 1-15) discovered in a Roman well shaft adjacent to Building 6 must be residual. The two other Iron-Age coins were unstratified plough-soil finds, one from the northern part of the field some distance away from the main villa complex. Together with another, previously discovered on the site (see below), these three Celtic coins suggest pre-Roman activity in the area. A number of early features located in the excavations also appear to be connected with late Iron-Age occupation on the site. Celtic coins are not uncommon finds around Minster and a major site is known at Ebbsfleet some 2km to the south-east (Perkins 2001, 56; Holman forthcoming). Roman Coinage Roman coins account for 131 of the total coin finds recovered between 1996 and 2004, of which 124 can be identified to period. Fig. 1 provides a graphical representation of the chronological distribution of these, showing the number of coins from each coin period as a percentage of the total number of Roman examples from the site. 204 MINSTER-IN -THANETVILLA; I RON-AGE, ROMAN & LATER COINAGE Z0v-88£ 88£-8L£ 8L£-v9£ v9£-8v£ 8v£-0££ 0££-H£ H£·96Z 111111\ 96Z·SLZ 􀀔 SLZ-09Z 􀀕 09Z·8£Z 8£Z-ZZZ 'tu ' 0 􀀖 ZZZ·£6􀀗 􀀆 m-001 08􀀗-􀀗9􀀗 􀀗9􀀗·8£􀀗 8£􀀗-H􀀗 L􀀋 􀀌-96 96·69 t 59-i,g vs-􀀌v 􀀋v< 􀀄 􀀄 0 0 0 0 '° ci 􀀄 '#. 􀀄 􀀄 􀀄 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ci '° ci '° N N .... .... a6eJua:>J8d 205 3 0 0. L :1,1,,,I e Fig. 1 Minster Roman Villa - Roman Coins recovered and identified 1996-2004 (totalling 124). DAVID J. HOLMAN AND KEITH PARFITT Generally, coins of the early Roman period, i.e. those minted before AD 260, are conspicuous by their relative scarcity on occupation sites and among casual finds; Minster is no exception. There are just 24 Roman coins dating to before AD 260 (18 per cent of the Roman total), most of them being second-century issues. A number of these came from stratified contexts within the villa complex (Table 2). An as of Antoninus Pius dated AD 140-144 was discovered in Room 17 at the north-west comer of the main villa building (Building 1 ); the very good condition of this coin suggests little circulation and a date of deposition before 150 must be considered likely. By contrast, the very worn condition of an as or dupondius of Faustina II (145-161) from a drainage channel of the bathhouse (Building 3; Perkins 2004, 46) suggests that it was deposited quite some time later. Coins of Hadrian (128-138) and Faustina I (141-145) came from late deposits associated with Building 6, both in reasonable condition although with some degree of wear. Another early stratified coin was a sestertius of Antoninus Pius (159-160), again in slightly worn condition, found in a pit close to Building 2 at the north-western corner of the villa complex. Moving into the early third century, a plated, hybrid copy of a denarius of Septimius Severns with a reverse of Geta, probably dating to the first decade of the century was found within a metalled surface adjacent to the main (southern) entrance to the villa enclosure, suggesting that this feature was at least repaired, if not constructed, during the early third century (Perkins 2004, 30). Recovered from the plough-soil in 2004 was a false dupondius with an obverse of Antoninus Pius (138-161) and a reverse apparently of Severns Alexander (222-235). This is presumably a mid-third century copy. The continued circulation of early Roman coins into the third century is a well-known phenomenon on Romano-British sites and accounts for the frequently very worn condition of such coins. Several finds from Minster are likely to fall within this category. Accordingly it is not possible to determine from the coin evidence precisely when Roman occupation of the site commenced. A date towards the end of the first century would seem most likely and would be in accord with the pottery dating evidence. However, the Celtic coins imply at least some activity on the site before this (see above). Although consistently low coin losses prior to 260 make direct comparisons between sites difficult, perhaps the closest match for the early Roman coin losses at Minster among the twenty-one villa sites listed by Reece (1991) is the well-known site at Gade bridge Park in Hertfordshire. Interestingly, the principal building on that site consisted of a winged-corridor villa whose second- and third-century layout was closely similar to that at Abbey Farm (Neal 1974, periods 3 and 4). A particularly noteworthy feature of the later Roman (260-402) coinage from Minster is the general scarcity of late third-century issues. Coins of 206 MINSTER-IN -THANET VILLA; IRON-AGE, ROMAN & LATER COINAGE the period 260-296, particularly the first half of that period, are very common on most Romano-British occupation sites and as casual finds, but only ten coins at Minster date from this lengthy period. Of these, just two are radiate copies (' barbarous radiates'), a lower proportion than is often seen. The incidence of radiates on east Kent sites varies but most sites exhibit a much higher percentage than Abbey Farm, although sites at Ringwould (site list compiled by DJH) and Each End, Ash (Anderson 1998) are similar. Of the 140 sites listed by Reece (1991 ), only eleven have a lower proportion of radiates than Minster during the period 260- 275 and only eight a lower proportion during the period 275-296. The ratio of coins dating from before 260 to those dated 260-296 is exceeded by only seven of those sites. The ratio of radiates to fourth-century issues at Minster is also very low. The overall impression gained from this is that activity at the Abbey Fann site during the later third century was minimal, which suggests that the villa complex had by then been abandoned (see below). Of the 124 identifiable Roman coins found at Minster, just over threequarters (94, 75.8 per cent) are fourth-century issues. Fourth-century coins are extremely common finds on most sites in Britain and such coins are found in large quantities across east Kent even in localities where no actual occupation site is evident. At Minster, only three coins date from before 330. Coins of both the early and late Constantinian periods (330-348 and 348-364) are prevalent (30 and 24, respectively); indeed, only eleven of the sites listed by Reece ( 1991) have a higher proportion than Abbey Fann during the period 348-364. Included among the Minster coins of the latter period are two silver siliquae. Copies frequently account for a significant proportion of site finds during these periods and again Minster is no exception; indeed, the high proportion of copies here is notable. Between c.341 and 347, because of an apparent cessation of minting at the western Empire mints, huge numbers of copies were produced of those coin types which were minted between 330 and 340. At Abbey Farm, such copies account for almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of the coins dated 330-347. The prevalence of copies becomes even more evident in the period c.355-364. Of the 16 Fe! Temp Reparatio 'falling horseman' coins from Minster, thirteen (81.3 per cent) are copies, which is in keeping with the high proportion of copies of this type found on other sites in east Kent (Anderson 1998). The highest number of coins from any one period at Minster is the thirty-three which can be assigned to the House ofValentinian (364-378). These include a group of six stratified coins from deposits associated with Building 7, a barn-like timber structure excavated in 2004 within the villa courtyard. The proportion of coins of this period at Minster is very high; only five sites listed by Reece (1991) exceed it and Each End, Ash is the only local site to display a similar level (Anderson 1998). 207 DAVID J. HOLMAN AND KEITH PARFITT The coin evidence on numerous sites in east Kent suggests that many had been abandoned by around 380. At Minster, only four coins minted after 378 have been found, the latest of these dating to around 390, suggesting a final decline in activity here towards the end of the century. Post-Roman Coinage The investigations between 1996 and 2004 produced few post-Roman coins (Table 3). Amongst those which were recovered is an Anglo-Saxon sceatta dated to the later seventh century, i.e. only a few y ears after the foundation of Minster Abbey in 669. However, no structural evidence for Anglo-Saxon activity on the villa site has y et been discovered. An extremely worn and pierced early third-century denarius may be an example of post-Roman re-use of a coin as a personal ornament, as may a similarly treated early fourth-century follis. No medieval coins were found during the site investigations, although the writers have been shown a half-groat of Edward III dating to 1369-1377, found within the grounds of present-day Minster Abbey. Early post-medieval finds include coins of Elizabeth I and the Commonwealth and a Nuremburg jetton. A few low value coins from Charles II through to Victoria have also been recorded. Overall, there appears to have been little activity on the villa site during the medieval and post-medieval periods, although a small number of contemporary artefacts - buckles, etc. - have been found. Coins from excavations and metal-detecting, 1990-1992 A further 119 coins had been recovered from the villa site prior to the main period of excavation (Table 4). Between 1990-1992 members of the Thanet & Wantsum Relic Association (TWRA) retrieved 76 Roman coins from the plough-soil. Three more Roman coins were found by the Thanet Archaeological Society during the initial evaluation of the site in 1991 (Corti 1994; Perkins 2004, 25). Including these earlier discoveries, the total number of Roman coins now known from Abbey Farm stands at 210. From TWRA records it is apparent that at least seventeen of the 1990- 1992 Roman coin finds were first- and second-century issues. Another Iron-Age coin (see above), of unknown type, was also recovered. A high proportion of the identified Roman coins are denarii, probably because these silver coins generally survive in better condition than do bronze coins. Notable among these is a scarce coin of Galba (68-69), the earliest Roman coin from the site. The majority of the bronze coins, however, were not identified because of their poor condition. Among the 1990-1992 finds, particular problems arise with the identification of third- and fourth-century coins. On the evidence of the 208 MINSTER-IN -THANET VILLA; IRON-AGE, ROMAN & LATER CO INAGE 1996-2004 assemblage, it seems likely that many of these were in a worn condition. No specialist was available to provide close identifications at the time and little can now be said about these coins which no longer survive as a readily identifiable group. Since the 1996-2004 coin finds show a preponderance of fourth-century issues over those of the third century (see above), it seems likely that the majority listed by the TWRA as being of third-century date were actually fourth-century. Certainly, most of the 1991 coin finds were fourth-century; of the fifteen examined by Dave Perkins, all were of this period, including the three excavation finds (Perkins 1991), and his suggested date range of c.330-378 would be very consistent with the more recent discoveries. There are also coins dating as early as 320 and as late as 390 but this is not unexpected. Only two of the many other fourth-century coins recovered by the TWRA were identified to type, one a Constantinopolis type and one of Magnentius. Coins of Constantius II and Valentinian I were also noted. The 1990- 1992 finds, however, certainly also included some third-century coins as TWRA records show one antoninianus and three radiates. In view of the somewhat limited information available, it has been decided best not to include any of the 1990-1992 coin finds within the site profile because the few identified coins would artificially skew the profile towards an earlier date, at the expense of the fourth-century coins. Nevertheless, it would appear that the overall date range and profile of the 1990-1992 coin assemblage is not dissimilar to that of 1996-2004, although with a slightly earlier emphasis. Post-Roman coins among the 1990-1992 finds include two more sceattas (c.675-740), bringing the site total to three (see above) and perhaps providing further evidence of activity connected with the early Anglo-Saxon abbey site. A sixth/seventh-centmy Kentish disc brooch also provides further evidence for early Anglo-Saxon activity around the villa. The major difference between the 1990-1992 and the 1996-2004 coin assemblages lies in the number of medieval and early post-medieval coins and jettons recovered (Tables 3 and 4). There are thirty-one coins dated between c .1200 and c .1650 among the 1990-1992 finds. Medieval coins are notable by their absence in the 1996-2004 assemblage (see above). The principal explanation for this appears to be that many of these coins were found towards the northern edge of the field (information from TWRA) where very little detecting was done between 1996 and 2004; it may be that they are connected with an earlier trackway running to the south of present-day Foxborough Lane. DI SCUSSION It is evident from the above that the bulk of the Roman coins on the villa site were to be found in the overlying plough-soil, rather than being 209 DAVID J. HOLMAN AND KEITH PARFITT contained within the surviving stratified villa deposits. This is clearly a reflection of the heavily ploughed nature of the site, where virtually all of the associated occupation levels have been previously destroyed. In such circumstances, controlled metal-detector searches, rather than excavation, proved to be by far the best means of recovering coins and other artefacts - a point which should be borne in mind by other excavators working on heavily plough-damaged sites. All the presently available excavation evidence indicates that the villa complex at Abbey Farm had been largely abandoned by the middle of the third century. The excavations have produced well in excess of 12,000 sherds of pottery, the great bulk of which dates from between the later first and early third century. There are very few Roman pieces which need be dated to later than 250 and what sherds there are come mainly from wall robber trenches and other late contexts (Lyne 2001). The few well stratified coins recovered fall within a similarly early date range (Table 2). The abandonment of the villa complex appears to be clearly reflected in the coinage where there are notably few examples of the normally common later third-century issues. Increased numbers of fourth-century coins, however, indicate renewed activity. Some sort of re-occupation of the villa following a fairly welldefined break during the second half of the third century seems to be clearly implied. Apart from a possible re-use of Room 17 in Building I, the only excavated building which could be connected with this late phase of occupation is Building 7, excavated in 2004 (Pout 2004). This is distinguished by being the only all-timber building discovered on the site. It was situated in the middle of the villa's walled enclosure and consisted of a large post-built structure, aligned roughly east-west but set at a slight angle to all the other buildings. Located at its eastern end was a large elaborate double flued 'corn-drier' or malting kiln. Burnt daub associated with the outer post-holes suggests that this building was eventually destroyed by fire. Dating evidence is fairly limited but the discovery of six fourth-century coins in the upper filling of the pit containing the corn-drier suggests that it belongs to the late Roman period. Certainly, the structure would have blocked the view from (and indeed direct access to) the main villa house, with its fine south-facing prospect across the Wantsum Channel to mainland Kent. In all probability, therefore, the main villa complex had ceased to be occupied, at least by individuals of any social standing, by the time Building 7 was erected and a fourthcentury date for it may be tentatively suggested. That some elements of the villa and its estate must have continued well into the fourth century would also appear to be suggested by the establishment of Minster Abbey as an Anglo-Saxon religious centre here before the end of the seventh century. 210 MINSTER-IN -THANET VILLA; IRON-AGE, ROMAN & LATER COINAGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Abbey Farm Villa excavation team wish to express their gratitude to the Kent Archaeological Society and its Fieldwork Committee for funding and administering the training excavations; and to Mr Jack Clifton for arranging access to the site. Thanks are also due to Minster Parish Council and the staff of Minster Agricultural Museum for their kind cooperation. The supervising archaeologists wish to acknowledge the hard work of all the excavators who have worked on the site. Also, to those members of the Thanet & Wantsum Relic Association, the W hite Cliffs Metal Detecting Club and the Royal Phoenix Metal Detecting Club, latterly working under the auspices of the Kent Archaeological Metal-Detecting Support Unit, who searched tirelessly over many long, hot summer days. BIBLIOGRAPHY Anderson, I., 1998, 'The Coins', in (ed.) A.J. Hicks, 'Excavations at Each End, Ash 1992', Archaeologia Cantiana, cxvm, 161-163. Corti, G., 1994, 'A probable Roman villa at Minster in Thanet', KAR, 115, 104- lll. Holman, D., forthcoming, Iron Age Coinage and Settlement in East Kent. Lyne, M., 2001, 'The Pottery from the Abbey Fann, Minster, Roman Villa', (unpublished archive report). Neal, D.S., 1974, The Excavation of the Roman Villa at Gade bridge Park, Herne! Hempstead, 1963-8, Soc. of Ants Res. Rep. No. XXXI. Perkins, D.R.J., 1991, 'A Romano-British building at Abbey Farm, Minster, Isle of Thanet' ( evaluation report by the Trust for Thanet Archaeology). Perkins, D.R.J., 1996, 'The Abbey Farm Villa Training Excavation', Archaeologia Cantiana, cxvr, 325-9. Perkins, D.R.J., 1999, 'Roman Villa Site (Abbey Farm): Minster in Thanet, Archaeologia Cantiana, cxrx, 393. Perkins, D.R.J., 2001, 'The Roman Archaeology of the Isle of Thanet', Archaeologia Cantiana, cxx,, 43-60. Perkins, D.R.J., 2004, 'The Roman Villa at Minster-in-Thanet. Part 1: Introduction and Report on the Bath-House, Archaeologia Cantiana, cxx1v, 25-49. Perkins, D.R.J. and Parfitt, K., 2004, 'The Minster Roman Villa', Current Archaeology, 193, 38-41. Pout, C., 2004, 'Final Excavation at Abbey Farm', KAS Newsletter, 62, 1-2. Reece, R., 1991, 'Roman Coins from 140 Sites in Britain' (Cotswold Studies, Vol. IV). 211 Pd Emperor etc Iron Age Kentish Uninscri. Eppillus Cunobelin Roman 4 Vespasian 4 Domitian, Caesar 4 Domitian 4 Domitian 5 Nerva 5 Trajan 5 Trajan TABLE 1 Description Mint Type Head right / Lion left Kent AE Bull/ eagle EPPl(L) CO F E. Kent AE Victory/ horseman (CVN) E. Kent AE Eagle on globe (SC) Rome As Type illegible Rome Dup AltarSALVTI AVGVS(TI) SC Rome As Fortuna stg. I. FORTVNAE AVG(VST)I SC Rome As Fortuna stg. I. FORTVNAAVGVST Rome As SC Felicitas stg. I. PM TR P COS VI Rome Den PPSPOR Type illegible Rome Ses Date Catalogue ref. Cond. c.40-25 VA- VW/ W BC c.1-15 VA451 w AD c.15-25 VA 1981 vw AD 71-73 AsRIC528 EW 72-81 EW 86 RIC 338 NF/ W 95-96 RIC422 GF(C)/ F 96-97 RIC 60 or 83 w 114- RIC345 VF 117 98-117 - EW W t \c I Site (gm) on. ref. 1 .8 p 2004/ 34 2 .3 s 2003/ 25 2 .6 p 2003/ 20 8 .4 p 2002/8 8 .0 p 2002/ 15 10 .9 p 2004/6 11 .3 us 2001/1 9 .3 s 2003/1 3 .3 s 2002/ 28 16 .5 p 1996/1 I I : : I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I - I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l l l l l l l I I l I I I I I I I I I Pd 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 9 Emperor etc Hadrian Hadrian Antoninus Pius Faustina I, nP.ifiP.n Antoninus Pius Antoninus Pius Antoninus Pius Faustina II Commodus Commodus Description Fides stg. r. CO(S III) SC Fortuna std. 1. FORT RED COS III SC Annona stg. r. ANN ONAAVG SC Ceres stg. 1. AVGVSTA SC Pietas stg. l. PIETATIAVG COS IIII SC Pietas stg. l. (PIETATIAVG COS IIII S) Figure std. 1. ( details illegible) Felicitas stg. 1. FELICITAS SC Minerva stg. 1. The Three Monetae (PM TRP XII IMP VIII COS V PP MON AVG SC) Mint Type Date Rome As 125- 128 Rome Dup 128- 138 Rome As 140- 144 Rome As 141- ]LI.<; Rome Ses 159- 160 Rome Ses 160- 161 Rome Ses 138- 161 Rome As or 145- Dun 161 Rome Ses 179 186- Rome Ses 187 Catalogue ref. RlC 668 RlC 973 RlC 675 RlC 1171a (A P) RlC 1031 RlC 1045 RlC 1395 (A .P.) RlC 1599 or 1607 (M.A.) RlC 500 Cond. VW(C) w VF w GF/F EW EW vw vw EW/ vw Wt (gm) 10.0 10.9 11.1 12.2 23.1 19.1 28.8 10.5 17.0 27. 6 Con. p s s s s p us s us p Site ref. 2002/ 17 2003/ 34 1997/1 2003/ 'JO 2001/2 2003/ 13 2002/ 34 1998/1 2002/4 1997/2 I I I I I I I . . ... - I Pd 10 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 14 Emperor etc Septimius Severns Valerian II Salonina Postumus Gallienus Tetricus I Tetricus I Tetricus I Tetricus I? - Description Mint Type Providentia stg. I. PROVID DEORVM Hybrid type with a Rome Den reverse of Geta. Reverse as RSC (plated) 588d. Infant Jupiter on goat walking r. Rome (IOVI CRESCENTI) (chipped) or Ant Lvons Venus stg. 1., leaning on column. VENUS VI(CT)RIX Lyons Ant Hercules stg. r. (HERC Lyons Ant DEVS)ONIENSI Sol walking I., holding whip Rome Ant ORIENS (AVG) (chipped) Laetitia (LAE)TIT(IAAVG) - Ant Pax (PAXAVG) Ant Pax (PAXAVG) Ant Reverse illegible Ant Copy ofTetricus I, rev. Laetitia Barb - Rad Date Catalogue ref. I Cond. 200- Uncatalogued F 209 253- RIC 13-17 255 (R) or 3(L) vw 257- RIC 8 (J) F 258 259- RIC 64 or 65 W/ VW 269 260- RIC249 w 269 271- RIC 86 etc VW/ 274 EW 271- RIC 100 etc vw 274 271- RIC 100 vw 274 271- EW 274 c.270- Copy RIC 87 vw 290 Wt ic I Site {_gm) on. ref. 2.8 s 2002/ 26 2.0 us 2003/ 44 1.9 p 2002/ 29 2.3 p 2004/ 19 2.4 p 2003/ 17 2.2 p 2004/1 1.1 p 2003/ 33 2.4 us 2003/ 45 1.4 us 2003/ 12 1.5 p 2003/ 21 I \ I I - - - - I Pd 14 14 14 15 15 15 17 17 17 17 17 Emperor etc Allectus - Constantine I Constantine I Constantine I Constantine I Constantine I Constantine II, Caesar H.of Constantine H.of Constantine Description Mint Type Copy of Claudius II deified, rev. Barb eagle Rad Pax stg. l. PAXA(VG) SIA/ML London Ant Emperor uncertain / reverse - Ant illegible SOLI INVICTO COMlTI TF/PTR Trier Follis Reverse design obliterated and coin pierced at top. Possibly post-Roman - Follis adaptation? SOLi INVIC(TO COMlT)I AS/ Lyons Follis PLG GLORIA EXERCITVS (2) Aries AE3 PCONST (GLORIA EX)ER(CITVS) (2) Trier AE3 TR•P (GLORIA EXERCITVS) (2) TRS Trier AE3 (GLORIA EXERCITVS) (2) - AE3 GLORI(A E)XE(RCITVS) (1) TRP Trier AE4 (chipped) Date Catalogue ref. Cond. c.270- Copy RIC vw 290 266 293- RIC 28 w 296 c.275- - EW 296 310- RIC VI, Trier F 313 870 c.310- 313 - W/EW 316 RICVII, w Lyons 53 330- RICVII, VW/W 331 Aries 345 332- RIC VII, Trier W(C) 333 537 330- RIC VII, vw 334 Trier 520? 330- EW 335 335- F 340 - Wt jcon. j Site (gm) ref. 1.9 p 2003/ 37 3.8 p 2004/ 35 2.7 p 2003/ 27 3.5 p 2002/9 3.1 p 2002/1 2.1 p 1997/3 2.2 p 2002/ 31 2.0 p 2002/ 24 1.8 p 1996/2 2.4 p 2002/ 23 1.1 p 2002/ 25 I I I I I Pd 17 17 1 7 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 Emperor etc Helena Helena Theodora Theodora H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine Description Mint Type (PA)X P(VBLICA) (chipped) - AE4 (PAX) PVBL(ICA) - AE4 (PIETA)S (ROMAN)A AE4 PIETAS ROMANA +/TR( ) Trier AE3/4 CONSTAN(T INOPOLIS) (copy) AE4 - (copy) CONSTAN(TINOPOLIS) (copy) AE4 - (copy) CONST (ANTINOPOLIS) (copy) AE4 (copy) (CON)STANTINOPOLIS (copy) AE4 - (copy) CONSTANTINOP(OLIS) (copy) AE4 - (copy) VRBS (ROMA) (copy) AE4 - (cop y) VRB(S) ROMA (copy) - AE4 (copy) Date Catalogue ref. I Cond. 337- vw 340 - 337- EW / - 340 vw 337- vw 340 - 337- RIC VIII, GF 340 Trier 43 c.335- W/VW 345 - c.335- F/W 345 - c.335- w 345 - c.335- w 345 - c.335- w 345 - c.335- vw 345 - c.335- VW/ - 345 EW Wt le I Site (gm) on. ref. 0.9 p 2004/2 1.3 p 2004/9 1.6 p 1996/3 1.2 s 2002/5 2.0 p 1996/4 1.3 p 1996/5 1.0 p 2003/6 2.2 p 2003/ 22 1.6 p 2004/7 0.9 p 1 998/3 1.2 p 2004/ 23 I I I I I I I I Pd 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 Emperor etc H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine Constans Description Mint Type V RB(S) ROMA I AE4 CONSTANTINOPOLIS 'm ule' (copy) (copy) (GLOR)IA EX(ERCITVS) ( 2) AE4 (copy) (copy) (GLOR)IA EXERC(ITVS) ( 2) AE4 - (copy) {chipped) (copy) (GLORIA EXERCI)TVS (1) TRP• AE4 (copy). Offcentre. (copy) {GLORIA EXERCITVS) (1) (copy) AE4 (copy) GLORI(A EXERCITVS) (1) (copy) AE4 (copy) (GLORIA) EXER(CITVS) (1) T R P AE4 (copy) (copy) (GLORIA EXERCITVS) (1) (copy) AE4 - (copy) (V RBS ROMA) or (CONSTA NTINOPOLIS) I AE4 (GLORIA) EX(ERCITVS) ( 2) (copy) (hybrid copy) (VICTORIAE) DD AVGG Q NN Trier AE4 M/TR P Date Catalogue ref. Cond. c.335- 345 - w c.335- vw 345 c.335- vw 345 c.335- Copy RIC w 345 VII, Trier 590 c.335- vw 345 - c.335- EW/ - 345 vw c.335- NF 345 - c.335- EW 345 c.335- EW/ - 345 vw 347- RIC VIII, F 348 Trier 1 82 Wt (gm) 1.6 1.0 1.3 1.3 0.8 1.1 1.5 1.4 1.0 1.4 Con. I Site ref. 2004/ p 25 p 2002/ 32 s 2003/ 30 p 1997/4 p 1 998/5 p 2002/ 1 3 p 2004/5 p 2004/ 1 4 p 1 998/4 p 2002/3 I I I I - I I - - I I I - I I I - I I I I - I I I - I I I - I - - I Pd 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 Emper or etc Constans Constans H. of Constantine H. of Constantine Constantius II Constans Magnentius H. of Magnentius H.of Constantine Constantius II Constantius II Descripti on Mint Type (VICTORIAE) DD AVGG Q NN M/(TRP) Trier AE3/4 (VICTO)RIAE DD A(VGG QNN) - AE3/4 (VICTORIAE DD AVGG Q NN) AE4 (?copy) - (VICTORIAE DD AVGG Q NN) Arles AE4 MA/(PARL) (FEL ( TEMP REPAR)A TIO TRP Trier AE3 (phoenix on gl obe) FEL TEMP REPARATIO TRS Trier AE2 (e mper or in galley) VlCTORIAE DD N(N AVG E T AE2 CAE) - (VICTORIAE DD NN AVG E T AE3 - CAE) (copy) Constantius Gallus/Magnentius AE4 (VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET (copy) CAE) ( hybrid copy) FE(L TEMP REP)ARATIO (falling - AE3 horseman) (chipped) (FEL TEMP REPARATIO) (falling - AE3 horseman) Date Catal ogue ref. Cond. 347- RICVlII, w 348 Trier 182 347- WNW 348 347- VW/ 348 EW 347- As RICVIII, EW 348 Arles 78 348- As RICVIII, vw 350 Trier 231 348- RICVlII, F 350 Trier 219 351- w 353 - c.351- vw 353 - c.353- 365 - W/ F 353- - w 361 353- vw 361 Wt le I Site (gl!l) on. ref. 1.1 p 2003/ 28 1.6 p 2002/ 21 1.0 p 2004/4 1.4 p 2004/ 18 1.9 p 2003/ 14 4.0 p 2002/ 12 3.8 p 2004/ 10 2.7 p 2004/ 16 1.8 p 1998/6 2.5 p 2002/7 1.8 p 2003/ 42 Pd 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 Emperor etc Constantius Gallus H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H.of Constantine H. of Constantine H. of Constantine H.of Constantine Description Mint Type Date (FEL T)EMP (REPARATIO) Aries AE3 353- TC(ON) (falling horseman) 354 (F)EL TEMP (REPARATIO) AE3 c.355- - (falling horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 (FEL TEMP REPARATIO) (falling AE4 c.355- - horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 (FEL TEMP REPARATIO) (falling AE4 c.355- horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 (FEL TEMP REPARATIO) (falling AE4 c.355- - horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 (FEL TEMP REPARATIO) PLG AE4 c.355- - (falling horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 (FEL TEMP) REPARAT(IO) - AE4 c.355- (falling horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 (FEL TEMP REPAR) ATIO (falling AE4 c.355- - horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 FEL TEM(PR E) PARATI(O) PLG - AE4 c.355- (falling horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 (FEL TEMP REPARATIO) (falling AE4 c.355- horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 (FEL TEMP REPARATIO) (falling AE4 c.355- horseman) ( copy) (copy) 365 (FEL TEMP REPARATIO) (falling AE4 c.355- horseman) (copy) (copy) 365 Catalogue ref. Cond. RICVIII, EW / Aries 21 7 vw F - VW/W - EW - EW - FIGF - W/VW F - GF - vw - vw - w Wt (gm) 2.4 1.3 0.6 0.7 1.1 0.7 1.4 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.9 1.3 Con. p p p p p p p s s p p p Site ref. 2004/ II 2002/ 35 1 996/6 2002/2 2003/3 2003/4 2003/7 2003/ 1 0 2003/ 23 2004/3 2004/8 2004/ 1 2 I I I I I I I I I I I I - I I - I I I I - I I - - - Pd 18 18 18 18 18 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 Emperor etc H. of Constantine H.of Constantine Constantius Il Constantius Il Julian Il, Caesar Valentinian I Valentinian I Valentinian I Valens Valens Valens Valens Description Mint Type (F)EL TEMP (REPARATIO) AE4 - (falling horseman) (copy) (copy) (FEL TEMP REPARATIO) (falling AE4 - horseman) (copy) (copy) (SPES REIPVBLICE) AE4 Wreath VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX SCON (slightly chipped) Arles Siliqua Wreath VOTIS V MVLTIS X Arles Siliqua TCON (slightly clipped) GL(ORIA R)OMANORVM LVGS Lyons AE3 (chipped) GLOR(IA ROMANORVM) OF/I/ Lyons AE3 LVG( ) (GLORIA ROMANORVM) AE3 (chipped) - (GLORIA ROMA)NORVM BI SMAQP Aquileia AE3 GLORIA RO(MANOR)VM ( Arles AE3 )CON (GLORI)A RO(MANORVM) - AE3 GLORIA RO(MANORVM) AE3 Date Catalogue ref. I Cond. c.355- vw 365 - c.355- EW/ 365 vw 355- W/VW 361 - 357- RIC VITI, F 361 Arles 261 357- RIC VIll, F 360 Arles 264 367- F 375 - 364- vw 375 - 364- EW 375 - 364- LRBC 2,970 vw 367 364- vw 378 - 364- W/VW 375 - 364- EW 378 - Wt ic I Site (glll) on. ref. 0.9 p 2004/ 17 0.5 p 2004/ 31 1.3 p 2004/ 29 1.9 p 2003/8 1.8 p 1998/2 1.6 p 1996/7 2.0 s 2003/ 32 1.4 p 2003/ 31 2.3 p 2002/ 30 1.9 p 1998/7 2.3 p 2003/ 18 2.1 p 2004/ 30 I I I I I I I I - - \ I - I P d 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 Emperor etc G ratian H. of Valentinian Valentinian I Valentinian I Valentinian I Valens Valens Valens Valens Valens Valens Valens Description M int Type GLORIA (ROM)ANORVM V/A/ Arles AE3 PCON (GLORIA ROMANORVM) AE3 SEC(VRITAS) REIPVBLICAE Aquileia AE3 +/(S)MAQP (SECVRlTAS R)EI(PVBLICAE) A ries AE3 OF/I/CON (SECVRlTAS REIPVBLICAE) - AE3 (SE)CVRlT(AS) REIPV(BLICAE) Aquileia AE3 SMAQ( ) ( chipped) SECVRlTAS REIPVBLICAE Aries AE3 SCON SECVRlTAS REIPVBLICAE QK/ S iscia AE3 Q/ASISCR (SE)CVRlTAS (REIPVBLICAE) - AE3 (SECVRlTAS R)EIPVBLICAE ( Arles AE3 )CON ( ch ipped) (SECV)RlTAS REIP(VBLICAE) AE3 SECV(RlTAS R)EIPV(BLICAE) Lyons AE3 OF/I/B ranch/LVG(P) Date Catalogue ref . Cond. 375- LRBC2,540 378 w 364- EW 378 364- LRBC2, 986 W/VW 367 367- LRBC2, 514 W/VW 375 364- VW/ - 375 EW 364- vw 378 367- LRBC2, 528 378 or 532 w 367- LRBC2, F 375 1373 364- W(C) 378 - 364- - vw 378 364- vw 378 367- LRBC2, 328 vw 375 W t le S ite ( gm) on. ref. 2.1 p 2004/ 37 1.5 p 2002/ 16 2.4 p 2003/ 38 2.3 p 2003/2 2.0 p 2002/ 11 2.0 p 2002/ 14 2.2 s 2003/ 43 2.1 p 2003/ 15 2.5 p 2001/3 1.4 p 2004/ 13 2.1 p 2004/ 22 2.2 p 2004/ 24 I I I I P d 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 E mperor etc Valens Valens Gratian Gratian H. of Valentinian H.of Valentinian H. of Valentinian H. of Valentini an H.of Valentinian Gratian Gratian Gratian Description Mint Type (SECVRJTAS REIPVBLICAE) - AE3 SECVRJ(TAS REIPVB)LICAE Lyons AE3 OF/I/LVGPD (SECVRJTAS) REIP(VBLICAE) Lyons AE3 SECVRJTAS REIPV(BLICAE) Lyons AE3 OFI/SR/(LVGP) SECVRJ(TAS REIPVBLICAE) Aries AE3 PCON ( incomplete) (SECVRJTAS REIPVBLICAE) A/ S iscia AE3 /( )SI( ) (SECVRJTAS REIPVBLICAE) - AE3 (SECVRJTAS REIPVBLICAE) - AE3 (SECVRJTAS REIPVBLICAE) AE3 ( chipped) - GLO(RlA NOVI SAEC)VLI SCON Arles AE3 GLORIA NOVI (SAE)CVLI ( Arles AE3 )CON (GLORIA NOVI SAECVLI) Aries AE3 Date C atalogue ref. I Cond. 364- VW/ 378 EW 367- LRBC 2, 309 w 375 367- LRBC 2,326 w 375 367- LRBC 2, 353 w 375 364- W(C) 378 367- vw 375 364- EW 378 - 364- EW 378 - 364- EW 378 - 367- LRBC 2, 529 w 375 367- A s LRBC 2, w 375 529 367- vw 375 - W t le I S ite (gm) on. ref 1.9 p 2004/ 27 1.7 p 2004/ 33 2.3 p 2002/6 2.1 s 2003/ 26 1.4 p 2002/ 27 1.4 p 2003/ 16 1.6 p 2002/ 18 1.9 p 2002/ 22 2.4 p 2004/ 20 2.4 s 2003/ 24 2.9 p 2003/ 19 1.7 p 2003/ 40 ll I I I I I I I - - - I I Pd 19 19 20 20 21 21 Emperor etc G ratian G ratian Gratian Valentinian II Valentinian II Theodosius I - - - 'Antoninus Pius' Description Mint Type (G LORIA NOVI SAEC V LI) Aries AE3 (G L)ORIA N(OV I) SAEC V (LI) Aries AE3 TCON Wreath V OT XV MVLT XX AE4 CONCOR(DIAAVGGG ) LVG S Lyons AE3 (SAL) V S ( REIPVBLICAE) - AE4 ( V ICTOR)IAAVGGG (L) VG{P) Lyons AE4 Details illegible Rome As Figure stg. l, sacrificing over altar Rome As Uncertain emperor. Reverse Rome Den illegible. (Pierced) Emperor stg. l. RESTIT V TOR MO(N) SC . The reverse legend is only recorded for Severns Dup Alexander (222-235) ( RIC 601) and - this is probably a late, lightweight forgery. Date Catalogue ref. Cond. 367- EW 375 367- vw 376 - 378- EW/ - 383 vw 378- LRBC 2,369 W/F 383 388- V W/W 392 - 388- LRBC 2, 391 w 392 Cl-C2 - EW EW/ C2 - vw (C) Early EW C3 Mid Un- V W/W C3? catalogued Wt (gm) 1.6 1.9 1.6 2.0 1.3 1.2 6.0 9.2 2.0 2.3 Con. p p p p p p p p p p Site ref. 2004/ 21 2004/ 26 1998/8 2004/ 32 2003/9 2003/ 35 2003/ 36 2004/ 36 2003/ 41 2004/ 28 I I I I I I I I I I - l l I - I I I I I I I I I - - Pd Emperor etc - Illegible Illegible Description Details illegible (chipped) Illegible copy Illegible copy Mint Type Date AE3 - c.260- 378 AE4 - c.270- 365 AE4 - c.270- 365 Catalogue ref. I Cond. EW EW EW Wt le I Site (gni) on. ref. 1.0 p 2003/ 39 0.5 p 2002/ 20 0.7 p 2002/ 33 Pd. - Period; Ref. - Reference; Cond. - Condition; Con. -Context; P. - Ploughsoil; S. - Stratified; US -Unstratified. Dup. - Dupondius; Den. - Denarius; Ses - Sestertius; Ant -Antoninianus; Barb Rad -Barbarous radiate; H. -House. V. -very; W. - worn; F. - fine; G. - good; E. -extremely; N. - near; (C)-corroded, encrusted. LRBC - Late Roman Bronze Coinage, ( eds) Carson R.A.G., Hill, P.V. and Kent, J.P.C. (Spink and Son, 1978). RlC-Roman Imperial Coinage (10 volumes). VA- Van Arsdell, R.D., Celtic Coinage of Britain (Spink and Son, 1989). I I I I I I I N N Vt TABLE 2: DETAILS OF STRATIFIED COINS FROM MINSTER ROMAN VILLA (1996-2004) Period I Emperor etc. Date Context l Site ref. IA 8.l Eppillus c.l-15AD Well shaft adj Building 6, AFM-03-7157 2003/25 5 Nerva 96-97 Soil over Building 6, AFM-03-7102 2003/1 5 Trajan 114-117 Subsoil, NE of Building I, AFM-02-822 2002/28 6 Hadrian 128-138 Building 6, upper fill of Room 43, AFM-03-7206 2003/34 7 Antoninus Pius 140-144 Building 1, fill of Room 17, AFM-97-1007 1997/1 7 Faustina I , deified 141-145 Pit cutting Building 6, AFM-03-7164 2003/29 7 Antoninus Pius 159-160 Pit near Building 2, AFM-01-306 2001/2 7 Faustina II 145-161 Building 3, drain channel, AFM-98-3121 (SF 533) 1998/1 10 Septimius Severus 200-209 Metalling by south entrance, AFM-02-7206 2002/26 17 Theodora 337-340 Subsoil, NE of Building 1, AFM-02-822 2002/5 17 House of Constantine c.335-345 Building 7, upper filling of pit for corn drier, AFM-03-7009 2003/30 18 House of Constantine c.355-365 Building 7, upper filling of pit for corn drier, AFM-03-7009 2003/10 18 House of Constantine c.355-365 Building 7, upper filling of pit for corn drier, AFM-03-7009 2003/23 19 Valentinian I 364-375 Building 7, upper filling of pit for corn drier, AFM-03-7009 2003/32 19 Valens 367-378 Subsoil adj. Building 7, AFM-03-7002 2003/43 19 Gratian 367-375 Building 7, upper filling of pit for corn drier, AFM-03-7009 2003/26 19 Gratian 367-375 Building 7, filling of pit for corn drier, AFM-03-7017 2003/24 - Not certainly a coin - Illegible - Well shaft adjacent to Building 6, AFM-03-7104 2003/11 􀀃 z en -l tI:I 􀀄 z I I Re> t""' 2:i 􀀅 (j 0 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l tv tv 0\ TABLE 3: DETAILS OF POST-ROMAN COINS FROM MINSTER ROMAN VILLA SITE (1996-2004) King etc. Description Type Date Mint Site ref. Hlothere? Radiate bust right / standard Sceatta c.675-685 Kent 2004/ Series A3 (imitation) 15 Elizabeth I - (bent and chipped) Sixpence 15?5 London 2002/ 10 Hans Krauwinckel II - Jetton 1586-1635 Nuremburg 1996/8 Commonwealth - Penny 1649-1660 London 2003/5 Charles II - Farthing 1672-1679 London 2004/- William & Mary Halfpenny 1694 London 2002/ - ]Q William & Mary - Halfpenny 1694 London 2004/- William III - Halfpenny 1699-1701 London 2004/- George III - Farthing 1773 London 2004/- George III - Halfpenny 1799 Birmingham 1999/- Victoria - Farthing 1838-1860 London 2004/- 􀀁 s !--< I 􀀂 􀀃 􀀄 I ,- ' ~ I I I MINSTER-IN -THANET VILLA; I RON-AGE, ROMAN & LATER COINAGE TABLE 4: COINS FROM MINSTER ROMAN VILLA SITE (1990-1992) I Period I Emperor etc. Iron Age I IA I - Roman 3 Galba 4 Domitian 5 Traian 5 Traian 7 or 8 Faustina II 17 House of Constantine (CONSTANTINOPOLIS) 18 Ma2:nentius - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Post-Roman Saxon John Henrv III Hemy III Edward I Edward III Edward I-III - Richard II HenrvVII HenrvVIII I Coin I Date I Number I Denarius 68-69 1 Duoondius 81-96 1 Denarius 98-117 2 Sestertius 98-117 1 Denarius 145-175 1 AE3 (or 330-345 1 copy) AE2 350-353 1 Sestertius Cl-C2 6 Duoondius Cl-C2 2 AE Cl 2 AE C2 1 AE C2-C3 6 Antoninianus C3 1 Antoninianus 260-296 3 Follis C3-C4 2 AE3 C3-C4 43 AE3 C4 4 AE Cl-C4 1 Sceatta c.675-740 2 Pennv 1199-1216 1 Pennv 1216-1272 1 Cut 1216-1272 2 h􀀈lfut>nnu Pennv 1279-1307 5 Penny 1327-1377 I Penny 1279-1377 2 Jetton C13 1 1/4 noble 1377-1399 1 Penny 1485-1509 1 Halfgroat 1509-1547 1 227 ========I AE= =1cr!1A!~n ~1=B=~=c1/;=1= _;_::1 == DAVID J. HOLMAN AND KEITH PARFITT I Period I Emperor etc. I Coin I Date I Number I Mary Groat 1553-1554 1 Elizabeth I Groat 1559-1561 1 Elizabeth I Sixpence 1559-1602 1 Elizabeth I Halfg roat 1559-1602 2 James I Shilling 1603-1625 1 James I Sixpence 1603-1625 1 James I Penny 1603-1625 1 Charles I Penny 1625-1642 2 - Jetton C17 4 - Jetton unknown 2 - Token? 1648-1672 1 Charles II Farthing 1672-1679 1 William & Mary Halfpenny 1694 1 William III Farthing 1694-1702 1 George I Halfpenny 1717-1724 1 George III Halfpenny 1770-1807 1 Victoria Sixpence 1838-1901 1 Victoria Penny 1838-1901 1 228