Casgliadau Arlein

A Roman copper alloy Valentinianic nummus (AD 364-378) (Reece period 19).

This coin is part of Roman coin hoard containing 99 copper alloy coins (15 radiates, 63 nummi and 21 unidentified coins) discovered scatterred across a field.

Many of the coins are in poor condition, so precise identification and dating has not been possible for some of the coins. The coins comprise 15 radiates (also known as antoniniani) dating to the period AD 260-296, 62 nummi dating to the period AD 296-402, and 21 unidentified coins, which are either radiates or nummi dating to AD 260-402. Evidence from other hoards indicates that late-3rd century radiates continued to be used throughout the 4th century in Britain. They are commonly found in hoards of nummi (Bland 2018, 106).

The latest identifiable coins were struck during the Valentinianic period (AD 364-378) suggesting that the coins were deposited during or soon after this period. They comprise 39% of the total. This prevalence of Valentinianic coins is high compared to other metal detecting finds of Roman coins in Monmouthshire, where only 6% are from that period (based on data from finds.org.uk).

The geophysical survey carried out by Amgueddfa Cymru revealed several archaeological features, including an enclosure ditch surrounding a trapezoidal area in which there are traces of a possible roundhouse. All the copper alloy coins were found outside of the enclosure. The wood at the top end of the field contains further surface evidence of a settlement or religious site.

The discovery of these copper alloy coins along with the hoard of silver siliquae in the same field demonstrates that this site was active late in the Roman period and into the early medieval period.