Recent Discoveries of Tetrarchic Hoards from Roman Britain and their Wider Context

The book explores the discovery of two large coin hoards from the first decade of the fourth century AD in Britain, Wold Newton and Rauceby, and their historical and monetary significance. It also republishes the 1944 Fyfield hoard and includes preliminary reports on two large hoards found in France and Spain. The Tetrarchic system of rule (AD 293−c. 313) was introduced to stabilize the Roman Empire, with Britain coming under the control of the Empire after periods of turbulence. The transition from the third to fourth century AD is a pivotal phase in the history of Roman Britain, with the introduction of the nummus denomination and extensive monetary reforms. The book covers the hoards themselves and their wider significance for Britain and the early fourth-century monetary economy, particularly in the western empire.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 16 February 2024
Publisher: British Museum Press

The recent discovery of two large coin hoards dating from the first decade of the fourth century AD in Britain, namely Wold Newton and Rauceby, has prompted the publication of this volume. These hoards are relatively uncommon finds in Britain and elsewhere due to their brief periods of issue and subsequent reductions in coin weight. The book also includes the 1944 Fyfield hoard within the context of these more recent discoveries and provides preliminary reports on two large hoards of coins from the same period that have been found in France (Juillac) and Spain (Tomares) in recent years. The Tetrarchic system of rule (AD 293−c. 313) was initiated by the Roman Emperor Diocletian to stabilize the Roman Empire, with the rule of the western and eastern Empires being split between two senior emperors and their two junior colleagues. The transition from the third to fourth century AD is a pivotal phase in the history of Roman Britain, with Britain coming under the control of the Empire again after periods of turbulence and usurper rule between AD 260−296. Under the Tetrarchy, Britain was subjected to extensive monetary reforms undertaken by Diocletian, which included the introduction of the denomination now referred to as the nummus. The period is of particular interest to numismatists as Roman coinage was minted in Britain at the mint of London during this time. The volume therefore covers not only the hoards themselves but also considers the wider significance of these hoards for Britain and the early fourth-century monetary economy, particularly in the western empire.

Weight: 1666g
Dimension: 296 x 210 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780861592364