COIN (ROMAN)

A silver Roman Republican denarius of Julius Caesar, dating to the period c.47-46 BC (Reece Period 1). CAESAR (downwards) reverse type depicting Aeneas left, carrying palladium in right hand and Anchises on left shoulder. African mint. As RRC p. 471, no. 458/1.



The coin was discovered in the same location as a hoard of 21 silver coins found 1994 (14 coins) and 1995 (7 coins)[1]. The coin is of a Roman silver denomination known as the denarius (plural denarii). It was issued by Julius Caesar and minted in Africa in 47-6 BC (RRC[2] type 458/1). The coin satisfies the terms of the Treasure Act with regard to age and metal content. It is certainly more than 300 years old and has a precious metal contents far in excess of the 10% threshold. Same find? Roman Republican coins circulated for a long period in Britain due to their high silver content. The coins in this find could have circulated together before deposition in the early first century AD (the latest coin found in this hoard dates to 41-45 AD). The coins found in 1994-5 include five issued during Roman Republican period, the earliest of which dates to 118-117 BC. Denarii of this type are rare as stray finds and the fact that this one was discovered in the same area as the 1994-5 group makes it likely that it comes from the same dispersed deposit. On the balance of probabilities, I conclude that this find constitutes a prima facie case of treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act (1996), by being part of a group of two or more precious metal coins of the same find. Dr. Eleanor Ghey Dr Adrian. B. Marsden

[1] Published in Coin Hoards from Roman Britain volumes X and XI. [2] M H Crawford, Roman Republican Coinage, Cambridge, 1974.

Ruler: Republic
Moneyer: Iulius Caesar, C.
Denomination: Denarius (Roman Republic)
Material: Silver
Mint: African Mint
Obverse: Bust of Roma facing left
Reverse: Aeneas left, carrying palladium and anchises
Reverse legend: CAESAR
Dated: -47.0 to -46.0
Weight (g): 3.6
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Restricted Access
District: Breckland
County: Norfolk
Region: Eastern
Place known as: Breckland
Discovery method: Metal detector
RRC reference: rrc-458.1