Romano-British Coin Hoards

The recent announcement of the discovery of the Frome Hoard has led me to update my top ten of Romano-British Coin Hoards. This hoard, ending in the reign of Carausius, leaps into the number two slot. (Photograph above courtesy of the British Museum.)

1. Cunetio ....................... 54,951
2. Frome ......................... 52,503
3. Normanby .................. 47,912
4. Irchester .................. c.42,000
5. Blackmoor .................. 29,802
6. Nether Compton ........ 22,670
7. Dorchester .................. 22,121
8. Bishopswood .............. 17,548
9. Gloucester .................. 15,544
10. Hoxne ......................... 15,234

Of course, size isn't everything but the Frome Hoard also includes a large group (over 760) coins of Carausius including some some very important coins amongst which there are no less than five silver denarii. This quantity of Carausian coins should help shed some light on the early days of the London Mint because it was under Carausius that the first Roman coins were struck in London.

Apologies for the table above being somewhat out of kilter - this blog editing software seems to have a mind of its own :-)