COIN (ROMAN)
A modified Roman Republican silver denarius issued around the late third to early second century BC. The type cannot be identified as it has been modified by tooling. The tooled legend COCLES occurs in a restitution type (re-issue) under Trajan (AD 98-117, RIC 767-8) but there is no Roman Republican precedent for this coin (though modern forgeries have been recorded). The Trajanic ‘COCLES’ type is said to take inspiration from an anonymous Roman Republican issue dating to 206-200 BC (RRC 127/1) but this coin lacks the symbols found on this original type (unless they have been filed away). The coin is not the Trajanic type as it lacks the reverse inscription and is of a style closer to the original prototype, suggesting that the coin is of similar late third to early second century BC date.

The coin has been pierced at 6 o’clock on the obverse (die axis 4) and the piercing is obscured by dirt but is somewhat proud of the surface on the obverse. There is loss of edge above the horses on the reverse and the piercing is below the foremost horse on reverse. Coppery coloured metal can be seen on the edge near the X and plating was suspected but metal analysis in the British Museum by the Department of Scientific Research confirmed that the composition of the metal was as expected for a Roman Republican coin.

Obverse legend: [COC]LES (tooled in front of Roma). 

Description: Helmeted head of Roma, right, X behind head. 

Reverse legend: ROMA (in ex.)

Description: Dioscuri riding right.

Measurements: Weight 3.59g, 19.9mm diameter,

Discussion: This coin satisfies the terms of the Treasure Act with regard to age and metal content. Although the coin has been modified by tooling to add the COCLES legend (presumably with the intention to mislead), an original Roman Republican coin has been used. Republican coins of this very early date are rare finds in Britain and tend to be very worn, so it is not certain whether this coin has been in the ground for over 300 years.

Conclusion: Normally, there would need to be two or more such coins of the same find in order to meet the requirements of the Treasure Act, but the fact that this coin has been pierced would suggest reuse as a non-monetary object (eg a pendant) and it could be considered as a precious metal artefact of Roman date. However, in this case, the fact that the coin has been deliberately modified with the intention to mislead might mean that the piercing is also not ancient. It is also situated in the place on the reverse where the moneyer’s mark on an early Republican Roman coin might be, making it difficult to identify the exact coin type. On the other hand, there is some wear on one side of the piercing on the reverse, perhaps consistent with suspension as a pendant.
Ruler: Republic
Denomination: Denarius (Roman Republic)
Material: Silver
Mint: Rome
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right, mark of value X behind
Obverse legend: [COC]LES (tooled)
Reverse: Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux advancing right on horseback
Reverse legend: ROMA
Dated: -206.0 to -200.0
Weight (g): 3.62
Diameter (mm): 19.9
Thickness (mm): 1.93
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Restricted Access
District: Canterbury
County: Kent
Region: South East
Place known as: Herne Bay
Discovery method: Metal detector