Some if you may have read about the Wold Newton Hoard discovered by an amateur metal detectorist in Yorkshire in 2014. It is the largest Roman coin Hoard from the Tetrarchic historical period to be unearthed in northern England, consisting of 1857 copper/bronze coins (circa 307 AD est. by the British Museum) well preserved in a buried ceramic vessel. The discoverer submitted the find to the appropriate British Government Agency in accordance with the Portable Antiquities Scheme protocol and was eventually awarded ownership of the coins (?). An extensive donation appeal campaign was launched in order to purchase the entire hoard for public display in the Yorkshire Museum. The appeal was successful and the coins are now on display. The write-up accompanying the article at ..... https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/wold-newton-hoard./ ..... is an interesting read and includes a very good video of the actual hoard discovery and excavation plus an excellent, well detailed, visual explanation of the recording and documenting process (be sure to read the Blog). Several Constantius/Constantine coins from the hoard are depicted. Some of you may have seen this previously but it is well worth a repeat viewing. The historical significance of this find for Yorkshire is the association of the coins with Constantius (Chlorus) and his son, Constantinus (Constantine) - they campaigned against the Picts in Yorkshire (and to the north) during this period and Constantius died at Eboracum (York) in 306. It has a significant historical association for me personally because my family has extensive roots in this part of Yorkshire, one of the reasons for my emphasis on London Mint Tetrarchic coins. RIC VI, Londinium, No. 47, Constantius as Augustus of the West: IMP CONSTANTIVS PIVS FEL AVG ........................ GENIO POPVLI ROMANI RIC VI, Londinium, No. 89b, Constantine as Caesar of the West (after the death of his father, Constantius, who conferred Imperium on him): FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB C ............................. GENIO POP ROM ..... PLN
Fabulous write up and coins as always. Hopefully your finding the time to continue teaching us about tetrarchy coinage means your wife is feeling better also Good stuff!
I have a friend who lives in the village of Wold Newton, its 30 miles from my home, I suppose we will have to get our detectors out next time I visit
Thanks for the great report @jamesicus - a most interesting read. One wonders what could be purchased with all of those coins. Who knows, maybe a few coins could purchase a modius of wheat or lentils.
I most certainly would @daveydempsey! I wish they would have had sophisticated detectors of the type available today when I was growing up in this area of Britain. I would have spent more time field detecting rather than doing calligraphy and chasing girls (although both of those are enjoyable pursuits in their own right in my opinion)!
@jamesicus - The coins of this era and area are slowly becoming my favorite because of your write-ups. Glad to hear that your wife is improving.
Very cool. I love all the information that comes from finding hoards like this. I'd love to go detecting too sometime.
Thank you for your kind words relating to my write-ups @GerardV - I am glad in turn to see you are developing a keen interest in these Coins. And thank you for your kind words relating to my wife.
I'm so happy to hear your wife is feeling better!!! Over 1800 coins?!! WAY COOL!!! I wish such things were possible on this side of the pond!!!
