Casgliadau Arlein

A Roman silver siliqua of Arcadius (AD 383-408), dating to the period AD 397-402 (Reece Period 21). VIRTVS ROMANORVM reverse type, depicting Roma, helmeted, draped, seated left on cuirass, holding Victory with wreath and palm in front, on globe in right hand and inverted spear in left hand. Mint of Milan. RIC X Honorius 1227. Weight 1.08g.

This coin is part of Roman coin hoard containing fourteen silver siliquae minted between AD 360 and 402. The last coin was struck in the name of Arcadius in the mint at Milan under the emperor Honorius between AD 397 and AD 402.

All of the coins have been clipped (had their edges trimmed off), some to the extent that the entire legend is missing. This activity is thought to have occurred mainly between AD c. 407 and c. 440 (based on evidence from other coin hoards from the rest of the UK and purses discovered around the Pyrenees), in an attempt to maintain the circulation of silver coinage as the supply of official coins dried up, especially after the Roman administration of Britain ended in AD 409/410. All the coins were minted before AD 402, but the extent of the clipping on the coins in the hoard suggests a deposition date after AD 407.