COIN (ROMAN)

A silver Roman Republican denarius in excellent condition. Dated to 207 BC, this coin is the earliest single find of a denarius recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme to date. Obverse depicts the Head of Roma and the reverse depicts the galloping Dioscuri and crescent. Mint of Rome RRC 57/2.

Ruler: Republic
Moneyer: Anonymous
Denomination: Denarius (Roman Republic)
Material: Silver
Mint: Rome
Mintmark: ROMA
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma, right; behind head X
Obverse legend: None
Reverse: Dioscuri galloping right, with stars above riders' heads and a crescent above and between the stars
Reverse legend: ROMA in exergue
Dated: -207.0 to 
Weight (g): 4.5
Diameter (mm): 18.49
Thickness (mm): 2.39
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Restricted Access
District: West Berkshire
County: West Berkshire
Region: South East
Place known as: West Ilsley
Discovery method: Metal detector
RRC reference: rrc-57.2
Notes: 
This coin was struck only a few years after the introduction of the denarius in 211 BC. There was a similar issue with crescent on the reverse struck in 199-4 BC (RRC 137/1), but comparison with coins in the British Museum trays suggests this is from the earlier issue. The condition of the coin is also exceptional; most Republican coins found in Britain are normally very worn. Coins of this date do turn up in later hoards but this is the earliest single Roman coin recorded on the database (pers. comm. Sam Moorhead, British Museum).