Downham Market coin hoard spans two centuries

A metal detectorist found a hoard of 13 silver Roman coins in a field near Downham Market, Norfolk, Britain.
The oldest coin (pictured above) dates back to 152 BCE, minted during the Roman Republic. The most recent coin dates from the reign of Tiberius (AD 14-37). It is suggested that this coin hoard was deposited during Claudius's invasion of Britain in AD 43.

The coin hoard covers two centuries of Roman coinage.


Above is a coin of Julius Caesar, minted in Spain in 46-45 BCE




Downham Market coin hoard 'probably lost by a Roman invader' - BBC News

 

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How many coins does it have to have to call it a "hoard"?

13 doesn't seem like a "hoard" to me... but I've never considered if there is an actual definition.

 

I have a book of coin hoards found in two or three counties in the UK, and I believe they consider even one coin to be a hoard.

But of course that isn't common usage - imagine being a Russian in 1250AD or so and someone shouted out "A Mongolian hoard is right over that hill - run for your lives!" and then you looked and it turned out to be just one guy, I would probably burst out laughing (before continuing to run away anyway).

But I think coins are different -

Hopefully, this "hoard" doesn't end up in some local museum, to be shown once and then buried in the basement to rot away - assuming the silver can rot - as are so many other coins.

 

A hoard means that the coins were deposited on purpose; while a single coin is most likely accidentally deposited.

 

When it's just a handful of coins, some archaeologists and numismatists call this a purse.