Durolevum, the Evidence of the Coins

( 197 ) DUROLEVUM, THE EVIDENCE OF THE COINS BY G. C. E. HAYTER, AND W. WHITING, PE.S.A. COINS found near Ospringe (1923-6) (from Syndale Park, the Field adjoining Stone Church, and in the cemetery). Roman coins have been found on these sites before the recent excavations as reported in Arch. Cant. (Vol. IX., pp. lxxii-iv). No coins whatever were observed in the digging of sundry holes and trenches within the Syndale Camp area, carried out by Major George Wheler and other local workers during the years 1921-3. One coin was discovered in Syndale Parkin 1923 (in the rubbish pit at " H " on the plan1), namely a sestertius of Commodus (No. 6). The only one noticed in the earlier cemetery excavations was found in 1923 under a much decayed skull and is a coin of Postumus (No. 10). At the time of writing this, three Roman coins found in the neighbourhood have been presented to the Maison Dieu Museum for preservation with the coUection there, viz.:— (1) from the Plantation on the South side of Abbots HUl, Ospringe (i.e., exactly one mile due South of the cemetery) a dupondius of Claudius I (No. 1) ;2 and (2) from the gardens of Westwood Cottages in Salters Road, in the adjoining parish of South Preston (i.e., about If mile E.S.E. of the cemetery) a third brass of Constantine the Great (No. 20). 1 See plan in Soc. Antiq.: Report of Research Committee, No. 8, "Excavations at Ospringe." 2 Pottery is recorded as having been found "between Ospringe Parsonage and the Brooks " (probably in this same field). See G. Bedo, in Arch. Cant. IX, lxxii. 198 DUROLEVUM, THE EVIDENCE OE THE COINS. (3) A third brass of Licinius (No. 67), not included in the Antiquaries' Report, nor in the following list. This coin was found in 1920 about the same time as the three pots comprising group XIX (Arch. Cant., XXXVI., p. 73), but not linked up with the pottery till seven years later; the donor vouches for its provenance and it constitutes an excellent confirmation of the date of this isolated burial. The dry summer of 1921 revealed a habitation site on the slope of the hill about one furlong West of the burial; funds were only available for a few trenches; some coarse ware pot-sherds were disclosed but no foundations of buildings were recognised by the then inexperienced excavators. The main excavations yielded sixty-four coins in aU, bringing the total to sixty-seven; two of these were Mediaeval, both from the cemetery ; the remainder are spread out over the whole of the Roman occupation of Britain, ranging from Claudius to Arcadius. However, as there are only six coins of the first two centuries and all of these show signs of considerable wear, it would be rash to treat them as evidence of an early occupation. Twelve belong to the latter haU of the third century. Of the remaining forty-seven, as many as thirty-two are of the Constantine family, with the others spread out fahly evenly down to the last decade of the fourth century. From this evidence it is difficult to say when the occupation of this area began, but it seems fairly certain that the place flourished under the Constantines and continued, though with steadily diminishing wealth and importance, at least until the end of the century. The only coins definitely associated with any pottery were the four which were found in the urn No. 345. This burial group was one of the seven selected by the British Museum, where it is now housed. The coins are thus described: "Trajan, 117-138" (two), "Faustina Junr., before 161 A.D." and " Commodus, struck 166-175 A.D." It has been remarked that these too are much worn and had probably been in circulation for some considerable time before burial; they are not included in the totals or following description. DTJROLEVTIM, THE EVIDENCE OE THE COINS. 199 A summary of the distribution of the coins is appended : EMPEROR : B Claudius I. Vespasian Trajan Hadrian Antoninus Pius Commodus Philip I ] Herennia EtruaciUa .. Valerian I. Postumus GaUienus Claudius II. .. Tetricus II. .. "Radiate Heads" Constantine I. " ConstantinopoUs " "Urbs Roma" Theodora Crispus Constantine II. Constantius II. Constans Constantine FamUy .. Magnentius Valentinian I. Valens Gratian Theodosius I . .. Arcadius Illegible (4th cent.) TOTALS . . .. i Mediaeval .. .. . IJS ] 1 ] I L I i . 2M ] ] ] L [ L I i . 3& [ L L ] . AM. TOTAL. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 L . 1 2 . 2 ] L . 1 2 . 2 e * t i I . 1 \ . 3 I . 3 } 2 5 > . 5 I . 1 1 . 1 4 1 5 i ( i i • i i 4' I 1 5 5 1 6 L . 1 I 1 2 I . 2 2 . 2 } . 3 1 1 1 1 I 1 3 T 9 64 2 66 IndividuaUy the coins present no special interest; here and there one has remained in good condition, but the 200 DUROLEVUM, THE EVIDENCE OE THE COINS. majority have a soft rather powdery surface which turns the softest brushing into a drastic treatment. There occur three varieties not recorded in Cohen. Claudius I (41-54 A.D.) No. 1 Obv. TI CLAUDIUS OESAR AVG P M TR P IMP. Head, bare, left. Rev. CERES AUGUSTA. Ceres seated left holding torch and two ears of corn. 2M (dupondius). Cohen 1. Vespasian (69-79 A.D.) No. 2 06B. IMP G3ESAR VESPASIAN AVG COS IHL Head, laureate, right. Rev. Eagle on globe, head right, wings outspread. In field, S.C. 2ZE (as). Cohen 481 (72-3 A.D.) Trajan (98-117 A.D.) No. 3 Illegible. 2M (dupondius). Hadrian (117-138 A.D.) No. 4 Obv. IMP. (CiES)AR TRAIANVS HADRIANUS AVG. Head, laureate, right. Rev. PONT MAX T(RP COS). Jupiter seated left holding sceptre and figure of Victory. SC in exergue. IM. Cohen 1184. Antoninus Pius (138-161 A.D.) No. 5 Obv. ANTONI)NVS AVG PI(VS PP) TR P XVII. Head, laureate, right. Rev. LIBERT(AS. Liberty standing right, holding sceptre and cap. In field SC. \M. Cohen 535. (154 A.D.) Commodus (177-192 A.D.) No. 6 Obv. M. COMMODUS ANT P FELIX (AVG BRIT). Head, laureate, right. Rev. P M TR P XH (COS V PP). Fortuna seated left, with rudder and cornucopias In field, SC. In exergue FOR RED. liE. cf. Cohen 528. (187A.D.) DTTROLEVUM, THE EVIDENCE OE THE COINS. 201 Philip I (244-249 A.D.) No. 7 Obv. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG. Bust, radiate and draped, right. Rev. ANNONA AVG. Annona with attributes, at feet a modius. B (Antoninianus). Cohen 32. Herennia Etruscilla (249-251 A.D.) No. 8 Obv. HER E(TRV)SC(ILLA AVG. Bust draped right, queue turned up. Rev. PVD(ICI)TIA (AVG. Pudicitia seated left with sceptre, drawing vefi over face. 2M (probably Antoninianus). cf. Cohen 19. Valerian I (253-261 A.D.) No. 9 Obv.. . .)VALERIANVSPFAVG. Bust, radiate, and draped right. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGG. Concordia seated left, with attributes. 3M. cf. Cohen 32. Postumus (258-267 A.D.) No. 10 Obv. IMP C POSTUMUS P F AVG. Bust, radiate and draped, right. Rev. VICTO(RIA A)VG. Victory advancing left, with attributes ; captive at feet. 3M. Cohen 377. No. 11 Rev. Indecipherable. 3M. Qallienus (260-8 A.D.) No. 12 Obv. GALLI)ENVS AVG. Head, radiate, right. Rev. DIANE (CONS AVG). GazeUe moving left. 3iE. Cohen 165. Claudius II. Qothicus (268-270 A.D.) No. 13 Obv. DIV)0 CLAUD(IO. Head, radiate, right. Rev. CONSECRATIO. Altar. 3M. Cohen 51. No. 14 Another, similar with obverse inscription illegible. ZM. Cohen 48 or 51. (Posthumous coins, struck by QuintiUus, 270 A.D.) 202 DTTROLEVUM, THE EVIDENCE OE THE COINS. Tetricus II. (268-273 A.D.) No. 15 Obv. . . . TET)RICUS C(iES. Bust, radiate and draped right. Rev. Indecipherable. ZM. Imitation of Tetricus I. • (268-73 A.D.) No. 16 Obv. . . . )CTITRICVSAVG(sic). Small bust radiate and draped, right. Rev X AVGG. Caricature of Pax type, with large olive branch. 3M. Nos. 17-18 Two coins of the " Radiate Head" period, both illegible, one a barbarous imitation (circa 260-300 A.D.). 3M. HOUSE OF CONSTANTINE I. Constantine I. (Aug. 307-337 A.D.) No. 19 Obv. CONSTANTINVS AVG. Bust laureate, right, in imperial mantle, holding sceptre. Rev. BEATA TRANQUILLITAS. VOTIS XX on altar, usual type. Mint mark : TCON = Aries. 3M. Cohen 17 (320-4 A.D.) Nos. 20-1 Obv. IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Bust laureate and draped, right. Rev. SOLI INVICTO COMITI. Sol left, holding orb, pallium on right arm. Mint marks: J^ARLES. | g = LYONS. Constantinopolis Issue. . Nos. 22-24 Usual type. Mint marks : PCONST = Aries. TRS- TRS*= Trier. Cohen Vll (Constantinople), 21, 22. 3M. (330-7 A.D.) Nos. 25-6 Imitations of above; 1 "mint mark" : R*P (Rome). AM. 3M. Cohen 537 (313-17 A.D.) DTTROLEVUM, THE EVIDENCE OE THE COINS. 203 Urbs Roma Issue. Nos. 27-31 Usual type. Mint marks : RQ ^ £RFQ(?), = Rome. TR-S = Trier (small). •PLG = Lyons; and one lost. Cohen VII. (Rome) 17-19. 3M. (330-7 . A.D.) Theodora (second wife of Constantius Chlorus). No. 32 Obv. FL M)AX THEODORA AVG. Bust laureate and draped right. Rev. PIETAS ROMANA. Piety standing, suckling a baby. Mint mark: TRS- = Trier. 3M (smaU). Cohen 4 (335-7 A.D.) Crispus (Cozsar 317-326 A.D.) No. 33 Obv. CRISPVS NOBIL C. Bust, laureate and cuirassed left with spear and shield. Rev. BEAT TRANQLITAS. Usual type, VOTIS XX on altar; Mint mark: PLON = London. 3M. Cohen 27 (320-4 A.D.) Constantine II. (Ccesar 317, Aug. 337-40 A.D.) No. 34 Obv. CONSTANTINUS IVN NOB C. Bust laureate and cuirassed, right. Rev. GLORIA EXERCITUS. Two soldiers and two standards. Mint mark : TRP- = Trier. Cohen 122. No. 35 Similar, but with bust diademed, not in Cohen. Mint mark: fR^=Trier. 3M (330-5 A.D.) No. 36 06?;. CONLIVNIT IVN NOB C. (sic). Imitation of above. AM. No. 37 Obv. as No. 34. Rev. as above, but one standard. Cohen 113. No. 38 Obv. as No. 35. Rev. as above. Mint mark: f | 3M. Cohen 120 (333-7 A.D.) -jjfjjj204 DUROLEVUM, THE EVIDENCE OE THE COINS. Constantius II. (Ccesar 323, Aug. 337-61 A.D.) No. 39 06?;. FL IVL CONSTANTIUS NOB C. Bust laureate and cuirassed, right. Rev. as No. 34. Mint mark TRS- = Trier. 3M (small). Cohen 104 (330-5 A.D.) Nos. 40-2 Obv. D N CONSTANTIUS P F AVG. Bust diademed and draped right. Rev. FEL TEMP REPARATIO. Emperor spearing horseman; usual type. Mint marks: SMKB = Cyzicus. 5PLG = Lyons. One lost. 3.E. Cohen 47 (345-61 A.D.) No. 43 06?;. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS AVG. Bust laureate, and cuirassed, right. Rev. VIRT)VS AVGG NN. Emperor standing, head right, holding spear and shield. Mint mark Ulegible. AM. Cohen 303 (337-40 A.D.) Constans (Cozsar 323, Aug. 337,61 A.D.) No. 44 06?;. (CONSTAN)S P F AVG. Bust diademed and draped right. Rev. as No. 37. Mint mark lost. 3M (small). Cohen 65 (337-40 A.D.) Nos. 45-7 06?;. as above. Rev. VICTORIA DD AVGG Q NN. Two Victories facing holding wreaths. Mint marks: S T = Trier. //// •D * uncertain. ///// ///// 3M or AM. Cohen 179 (341-5 A.D.) No. 48 06?;. D N (CONSTAN)S P F AVG. f Rev. as above. Mint mark: SLG = Lyons. 3M. (341-8 A.D.) No. 49 06?;. FL IVL CONSTAN(S AVG). Bust, laureate, and cuirassed, right. Rev. as No. 43. Mint mark: TRS = Trier. 3M. cf. Cohen 183 (337-40 A.D.) DUROLEVUM, THE EVIDENCE OE THE COINS. 205 Constantine Family. No. 50 06?;. obliterated. Rev. as No. 37. Mint mark: TRS^s* = Trier. 3M. (335-40 A.D.) Magnentius (350-3 A.D.) No. 51 Obv. D N MAG(NENTIVS P F AVG). Head bare, bust draped, right. Rev. FELICITAS REI(PVBLI&E. Emperor standing left, holding labarum and statue of Victory. 3M. cf. Cohen 8 (350-1 A.D.) as above, but with letter A behind head. VICTORIA) DD NN AVG ET CM. Two Victories holding wreath; within it VOT MVL X. Mint mark lost. AM (? reduced), cf. Cohen 69 (351-3 A.D.) Valentinian I. (364-75 A.D.) Nos. 53-4 Obv. D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG. Bust diademed and draped right. Rev. GLORIA ROMANORVM. Emperor right with labarum, dragging captive. Mint marks : PCON = Aries. F A CA -e-SISCA- 3iE. Cohen 12. Valens (364-78 A.D.) No. 55 06?;. D N VALENS P F AVG. Bust diademed and draped right. Rev. as above. Mint mark lost. 3M. Cohen 4. No. 56 Rev. SECVRITAS REIPVBLIG3E. Victory moving left, with palm and wreath. Mint mark: TRP- = Trier. 3M. Cohen 12. No. 52 06?;. Rev. 206 DUROLEVUM, THE EVIDENCE OE THE COINS. Qratian (367-83 A.D.) Nos. 57-8 Obv. D N GRATIANVS P F AVG. Bust diademed and draped right. Rev. GLORIA NOVI SiECVLI. Gratian standing, with labarum and shield. Mint mark : ^CON= Aries. 3M. Cohen 13. No. 59 Another similar, but with bust cuirassed. Mint mark : TCON = Aries. 3JE Variety not in Cohen. Theodosius I. (379-395 A.D.) No. 60 06?;. D N THEODO)SI(VS P F AVG. Bust diademed and draped right. Rev. (SALVS REIPVBLKL3E). Victory moving left with trophy, dragging captive. Mint mark lost. AM. Cohen 30. (390-5 A.D.) Arcadius (383-408 A.D.) No. 61 06i>. D N ARCADIVS P F AVG. Bust diademed and draped right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGGG. Victory moving left with wreath and palm-branch. Mint mark lost. AM. cf. Sabatier, 26. (388-95 A.D.) Nos. 62-4 Also, three illegible, all fourth century probably; 2, 3M ; 1 AM. Mediceval. No. 65 One jetton or counter of bronze, much chipped. No. 66 One haU-groat of sUver, of Henry VIII., struck at York for Bishop Eglonby, 1545-7 A.D. The Roman Coin from Kennaways. Licinius (307-323 A.D.) No. 67 06?;. IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG. Head diademed right. Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG. Emperor nude stands left, holding figure of Victory whojjholds out a wreath and in left hand a sceptre. At feet a phoenix. Mint mark Q K X=Alexandria B ALE 3M. 313-315.