Hoard of twenty-three silver denarii and one gold aureus
Roman, 113BC-AD37
Found, using a metal detector, in the Winchester area
This group of twenty-four coins, of Republican and early Imperial date, are considered to be part of a hoard of five denarii previously uncovered by the same metal detectorist. Archaeological fieldwork in the area revealed no signs of any building, the hoard apparently having been deposited, perhaps for ritual or religious purposes, in a wooded landscape. To give an idea of their value, a Roman legionary at this time would have received a salary of 225 denarii a year. Since there were 25 silver denarii to one gold aureus then this hoard would have represented nearly three months' pay for him.The gold aureus was struck at the mint in Lugdunum, modern Lyon in France, whilst the denarii were struck at mints in France and Italy.
Purchased with the aid of a grant from the MLA/V and A Purchase Grant Fund
