On a hoard of Roman Coins found near Cobham Hall

( 321 ) ON A HOARD OE ROMAN COINS DISCOVERED IN COBHAM PARK. BY C. ROACH SMITH. IN the spring of the year 1883, as some labourers were grubbing the roots of a tree in Cobham Park they exhumed an earthen pot which was found to contain over 800 brass Roman coins. They were forthwith placed in the hands of Lord Darnley, by whose permission and desire a description of the coins is thus early laid before the Kent Archaeological Society. This kind and prompt contribution to the stores of the Archceologia Cantiana, so contrary to the secretiveness which often, in similar discoveries, obstructs scientific research, will be appreciated not only by the Kent Society, but by all kindred institutions, numismatists, and antiquaries. The finding of buried hoards of Roman coins from times immemorial is a well-known fact; but not generally considered in its historical signification as it deserves to be. In our own time, and in the last two centuries, the records of discoveries of hoards of Roman coins are very numerous, though seldom or never satisfactory. The Numismatic Society, and its organs, The Numismatic Journal and The Numismatic Chronicle, have helped to place upon reliable record full accounts of discoveries such as the zeal of practical numismatists have succeeded in getting access to. In previous years, however, it is tantalizing to VOL. XV. y 322 ON A HOARD OE ROMAN COINS read the hare fact of the discoveries only; as if science and curiosity were satisfied and cared to make no further inquiry. Through the long Dark and Middle Ages such discoveries must have been made yearly, but regarded only for their intrinsic worth; and they must often have been made even in the time of the Romans. The frequent movement of military forces in the province of Britain itself must often have necessitated the burying of coins which were not portable. Some of these hoards were doubtless recovered by the owners ; but, in time of war, a return to the places of deposit could never be calculated on; and especially when large forces in particular emergencies were sent into Gaul, the chances of return must have been few indeed; and the hoards were left to astonish the ignorant ploughman and unlettered churl in after ages; and, more rarely, to exercise the patience and reward the labour of the numismatist of the present day. Beda states that when the Romans were finally withdrawn from Britain they buried their money. The historian had probably seen many discoveries made during the excavation of the remains of Roman buildings and the land adjoining for ecclesiastical purposes. In Volume XIV. of the Archmologia Cantiana, p. 368, I have made a few observations on the historical evidence often afforded by hoards of Roman coins. To this I refer my readers, and proceed to describe the Cobham collection. With the exception of a single specimen of Constantine the Great, it is confined to coins of Constantius the Second, Oonstans, Gallus, MagnenDISCOVERED IN COBHAM PARK. 32 3 tius, and Decentius. As there is not one of Julianus, who was created Caesar by Constantius in A.D. 355, when his coins were first struck, we may conclude that the hoard was deposited in A.D. 353, not long before the overthrow of Magnentius and Decentius by Constantius. This important event took place near Mursa in Lower Pannonia. Magnentius, who in A.D. 350 had usurped the imperial dignity and reigned successfully over the Western Provinces, had drawn together an immense army of legionaries and auxiliaries, and among the levies from Britain we may enrol the owner of the Cobham hoard, now under our examination. It is probable that his dwelling was near the spot where he buried what money he could not carry upon his person. Though accident may bring to light the remains of his house, we shall certainly learn nothing more of the man himself. The following will shew the very limited range of the coins as regards time:— Constantine the Great Constantius II. Constans Constantius III., Gallus . Magnentius Decentius No. Total of Specimens. 148 256 1 419 11 836 A.D. .... 337 to 361 ... 333 to 350 ... 351 to 354 ... 350 to 353 350 to 353 Erom their good preservation and the absence of attrition from circulation these coins must have formed part of the vast stores sent by Magnentius from Gaul, and probably not long anterior to his overthrow. v 2 324 ON A HOARD OE ROMAN COINS The cities in which these coins of Constantius and Constans were minted were Borne, indicated by a, R.P., R.S., etc.; Arelatwm, Aries, P.ARL. and S.ARL. ; Aquileia, AQ, AQP., etc.; and Lugdunum, Lyons, L.P., PDC, etc. Jjondinium, London, is not represented in a single instance, though it is to be recognised in the earlier days of the Constantine family. In addition to the above towns, Rome excepted, we find on the coins of Magnentius and Decentius in the Cobham hoard, Ambianum, Amiens, AMB; and Siscia, in Pannonia, now Sissek, E.SIS., RSIS., etc.; of the latter a few only. CoNSTANTTNE THE GrEEAT. No. Obverse.—CONSTANTINVS. P. IT. AVG. Laureated head; bust in the paludamentura, to the right. Reverse.—son INVICTO COMITI. The Sun standing to the left; the right hand raised; the left holding a globe. In the field TP. In the exergue PTE. 1 CONSTANTIUS THE SECOND. Obv.—D N OONSTANTIVS p. 3?. AVG. Diademed head to the left; hand holding a globe. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. A soldier, with javelin, dragging a barbarian from a hut over which is a tree. Mint marks: TEP and TES, 12 ; PAEL, 3 ; AQT, 1; SLC, 1 17 Obv.—D. N. PL. CONSTANTIVS NOB. o. Diademed head to the right; bust in the paludamentum oyer a cuirass. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. Constantius, standing in a galley steered by a winged G-enius or Victory, holding in his right hand a Phoenix upon a globe; in his left hand a labarum with the monogram of Christ. Some with the letter A on obverse and reverse. Mint marks: TEP and TES, 49 ; one illegible 50 The same, obverse and reverse. Mint marks: E.P., E.S., E.T., E.Q., 8; L.P., SLO., PLC, 10; AQ, AQP., AQT, AQS, 4; P.AEL., 5 ; illegible, 27 54 DISCOVERED IN COBHAM PARK. 325 No. Obv.—DN OONSTANTIVS P.P. AVG. ; or, on a few, OONSTANTIVS P.P. AVG. Diademed head to the r ight ; bust in the paludamentum over a cuirass. Behind the head of some the letter A. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. A foot soldier spearing a fallen horseman. On some the letter A. Mint marks: P.AEL. and S.AEL, 17 ; SLC, 2 ; LC*, 1; illegible, 7 27 The illegibility of the above coins is not from bad preservation, but from the pieces of metal not being sufficiently large to receive the entire impression of the die. CONSTANS. Obv.—CONSTANS AVGVSTVS. Diademed head to the right; bust in the paludamentum. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. Constans in a galley steered by a winged Victory. In his right hand he holds a Phoenix upon a globe ; in his left a labarum with the monogram of Christ. In the exergue TES. 1 Obv.—DN CONSTANS P.F. AVG. AS the preceding. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. A Phoenix standing upon a globe. In the exergue TES. 1 The same, obverse and reverse. A Phoenix standing upon a mount. In the exergue TES. 1 Obv.—The same, with A behind the head, Rev.—The same, with the letter A in the field. A foot soldier standing over a fallen horse and the rider, and spearing the latter. In the exergue LSC. 1 Obv.—D.N. CONSTANS P.P. AVG. Diademed head; bust iu paludamentum over a cuirass to the left; hand holding a globe. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. A foot soldier with javelin, dragging a captive from a hut under a tree. Mint marks : E.P., E.S., E.Q., E.X., R#, E*E, 36 ; TEP., TES., 15 ; PLC, SLC, 1 1 ; AQP., AQS., AQT., 4 ; SAEL., 2 ; SIS., BSISEII?, 2; illegible, 8 78 Obv.—DN CONSTANS P.P. AVG. Head and bust as on the preceding, but to the right; behind the head on some the letter A. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. Constans standing upon a galley steered by a winged Victory, holding in his right hand a Phoenix upon a globe; or a Victory extending a wreath towards the head of Constans, who in his left hand holds a labarum with the monogram of Christ. Upon some the letter A. 326 ON A HOARD OE ROMAN COINS No. Mint marks : TEP., TES., 87; s., E.E., E.Q., EQP., E.S., E*S, EQT, ET, 27 ; PET, 2 ; SAEL., 9 ; AQP., 2 ; PLC, SLO, TL.P., 18 ; esiSEE, 2; illegible, owing chiefly to the metal being too small for the dies, 27 1^4 CONSTANTIUS G-ALLUS. Obv.—D.N. PL. CONS s. NOB. CAES. Naked head to the right; bust in the paludamentum over a cuirass. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. A soldier spearing a fallen horseman, as on the coins of Constantius II. and Constans. The mint mark and some letters on the obverse are wanting from the coin not having fully caught the stamping of the dies 1 MAGNENTIUS. Obv.—DN. MAGNENTIO PEEPETVO AVG. "Wreathed head to the right; bust in the paludamentum over armour. Rev.—PELICITAS EEIPVBLICE (sic). Magnentius standing to the left; in his right hand he holds a Victory upon a globe, extending a wreath towards his head ; in his left hand a labarum without the usual monogram of Christ. In the exergue SAB. 1 Obv.—IMCAEMAGNENTIVS AVG. Bare head to the right. Rev.—As the preceding; in the field A ; letters in the exergue indistinct. 1 Obv.—DN MAGNENTIVS p.p. AVG. Diademed head to the right; bust in the paludamentum over armour. Rev.—PELIOITAS EEIPVBLIOE (sic). Magnentius standing, as on the preceding, with Victory, and labarum in which (those of Aries excepted) is the monogram of Christ. Mint marks : S.AB, in the field of two, p., 2 1 ; SLC, PLC, ESLC, EPLC, PSLC (one), 86. Of these, minted at Lugdunum, about one quarter have the head, on the obverse, bare; these are of inferior work, PTE and PTS, in equal numbers, 112; P.T., PPT, PET., 7; P.SIS, ESIS, 2. Mint marks illegible from defective striking, 10 238 Obv.—DN MAGNENTIVS. P.P. AVG. Diademed head to the right; bust in the paludamentum. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. In the exergue ULC A military figure standing to the left, and holding a standard of an hexagonal shape. DISCOVERED IN COBHAM PARK. 32 7 . , No. This corn, which is well struck and of larger module than most in this hoard, is apparently a new variety. It is remarkable for the form of the standard. The exergual letters denote the mint of Lugdunum, now Lyons. 1 Obv.—IM. OAE. MAGNENTIVS AVG. Bare head to the right; behind it the letter A ; bust as in the preceding varieties. Rev.—PEL. TEMP, EEPAEATIO. Magnentius in a galley steered by a seated Victory ; in his right hand he holds a Victory upon a globe extending a wreath towards his head; in the field A. In the exergue TEP or TES. 15 Obv.—DN. MAGNENTIVS. P.P. AVG. Bare head to the right; bust as on the preceding ; A behind the head. * Rev.—GLOEIA EOMANOBVM. A horse soldier spearing a disarmed footman who is on his knees in an imploring attitude, his shield and broken spear lying before him. Mint marks: TEP., TE.S, 52; EPL, EPLC, ESLC, 30; AMB., 17; SAE, SAEL, 6; wanting from imperfect striking, 9 114 Obv.—DN MAGNENTIVS P.P. AVG. Bare head to the right; bust as on the preceding. Rev.—SALVS DD NN. AVG. ET CAES. The monogram of Christ, which fills the field of the coins ; between the letters Alpha and Omega, Mint marks: AMB, LSL, PLC, PPLS, 10 ; illegible, 3 13 Some are of larger module. Obv.—DN MAGNENTIVS P.P. AVG. Bare head to the right; behind it the letter A. Rev.—VICTOEIAE DD. NN. AVG. ET CAES. Two winged Victories holding a wreath or circular shield within which is VOT inscribed v ^n *w 0 instances the wreath is upon a cippus or column. Mint marks: AMB; TEP and TES 36 DECENTIUS. Obv.—DN DECENTIVS NOB. CAES. Naked head to the right; bust in armour. 2leVi—VICTOEIAE DD. NN. AVG. ET CAES. Two winged Victories VOT holding upon a cippus a wreath enclosing MTLT x. In the exergue AMB. 1 328 ON A HOARD OE ROMAN COINS No. Similar, with the cippus. Mint marks: AMB, AEP, PSAE, EPL, TEP 6 Obv.— POET. CAES. As the above. Rev.—As the foregoing, but with monogram of Christ above the wreath—S.L. ? 1 Obv.—D.N. DECENTIVS CAESAR. Bare head; bust in armour to the right. Rev.—SALVS DD. NN. AVG. ET CAES. Monogram of Christ, with the Alpha and Omega, STE. 1 Obv.—DN. DECENTI Bare head; bust in the paludamentum over armour. Rev.—As the preceding. Mint mark: AMB 2 The coins have afforded but little novelty. The title of Perpetuus, assumed by Magnentius, appeared, at first, to be new on coins, as it is not recorded in Banduri, Tanini, or Akerman; but M. Cohen, in his more recently published work,* cites an example in the museum at Copenhagen. It is rather remarkable that Mr. Akerman, who, in his Descriptive Catalogue, cites some of the pompous titles of Magnentius, should not have seen the meaning of the TR. on the obverse of some of his coins. There can be no doubt of its meaning URiumphator. A milestone in the Verona Museumf is inscribed, Liberatori Orbis Homani Mestitutori IAbertatis et R.P. Conservators Militum et Provincialium D.N. Magnentio Invicto Principi Victori {et) Trium(pkatori) . . . . I note that on the reverse of this coin the usual monogram of Christ is wanting. The mint mark shews it was struck at Arelate, now Aries. It is also wanting' on all of the coins struck in this city. I do not see that any theory can be founded on this * Mddailles Imperiales. Paris, t Museum Veronense, p. cv, No. 2. DISCOVERED IN COBHAM PARK. . 329 exceptional omission; but the fact is worth remarking, and it does not appear to have been noticed in print before. The coin from the mint of Lugdunum of the Fel. Temp. Reparatio type, as I have already remarked, is worth notice from the hexagonal standard, which, like those of Arelate, has not the monogram of Christ. The coins are what are technically termed second and small brass; generally well engraved and in good preservation. Some few, however, shew inferior and even rude workmanship, such as may be expected from the large number of engravers employed. They present almost infinite variety in minute details, the quantity of dies used being extremely numerous, so much so, that it is difficult to find two coins so alike that they may be said to come from the same pair of dies. The portraits present great individuality, and are without doubt to be accepted as good likenesses. That of Magnentius, although in all easily recognised, varies so much, that while in some the features and expressions are vulgar and unintellectual, in others they are animated and agreeable. Yet the predominant character is animal. He must have had brilliant military abilities; and, in spite of his wading through slaughter to a throne by the murder of Constans, he might have retained dominion over the "Western Provinces had his prudence and moderation been equal to his courage and ambition. I t has not been thought necessary to give engravings of these coins, as illustrated numismatic works are now very accessible. To those entering upon the study of Roman coins I can recommend Mr. Pred. W. Madden's Handbook of Roman Numismatics, 330 ROMAN COINS DISCOVERED IN COBHAM PARK. and the late Seth Stevenson's Dictionary of Roman Numismatics, now being completed by Mr. Madden. They are both well illustrated. Por the portraits on Roman coins enlarged and most faithfully etched, the Roman Imperial Profiles, by J. E. Lee, P.S.A. (Longmans and Co.), should be by the side of the historical student.