English: Womersley II, North Yorkshire

Richard Abdy and Philippa Walton

445 AE nummi to AD 354 BM ref.: 2011 T646

PAS ref.: SWYOR-442F94

Circumstances of Discovery

Found at [place removed], near Womersley, by [names removed] with the aid of a metal detector, August-September 2011.

Note

This case appears to represent a slightly later hoard than Womersley I (1967), RBCH 1241, from the same findspot. Womersley I formed a discrete deposit in a pot with a lid and its c.3,300 nummi are all prior to the AD 348 Fel Temp coinage. See E. Pirie, 'A Constantinian Hoard from Womersley, W. R.' in Yorks. Arch. Journal part 166, 2^nd part of vol. 42 (1967), pp.127-9. (Perhaps a second container was once part of the same deposition activity and was filled up later once the first vessel became full.)

Womersley II was abandoned in the aftermath of the fall of Magnentius, seemingly before the full monetary repercussions of the regime change had time to take effect. It is not a classic Magnentian hoard (where the issues are primarily those of Magnentius and Decentius) since it contains a spread of coinage from the AD 330s - 350s. Rather, it is quite close in character to the Coleshill hoard; the subject of detailed study by C. E. King in CHRB IX, pp.242-78. Although the spread of issues is similar, for the regular pieces the most obvious difference between Womersely II and Coleshill is that the latter has a much higher presence of AD 340s and early 350s nummi. The similarities are most striking for the irregular coins which are roughly close in size to their originals (there are no obviously shrunken or 'minim' copies) and have mintmarks, where discernable, copying the western mints of Trier, Lyon and Arles. In analysing the weights of the Coleshill copies, King was able to state that the hoard demonstrated that '...imitations of genuine coins minted between 330 and 358 were also produced in these years.' Although this broadly seems to be the case with Womersley II, as a rough observation it seems that the two standards Gloria Exercitus imitations (and the Urbs Roma and Constantinopolis commemoratives) are of similar module to the two Victories imitations. Indeed one Gloria Exercitus (one standard) copy seems to have been overstuck on a two Victories coin (it is not certain whether the undertype was regular or irregular); further reinforcing the impression of a bias in production of the pre-Fel Temp nummus copies to the AD 340s using the smaller contemporary module but contemporary and discontinued designs indiscriminately.

The metalwork

The assemblage comprises a small collection of structural ironwork and lead waste. Although all these objects could be Roman in date, their lack of diagnostic features mean that they cannot be assigned to this period with any certainty. The only object of interest is a possible Roman lead alloy phallus, the identification of which remains tentative. If this identification is correct, it may point to a possible votive context for the hoard.

· Thirteen iron nails measuring between 25mm and 45mm in length. They cannot be dated with any accuracy, although a Roman date is possible. Their size suggests that they are structural in function, rather than being the remains of a container for the hoard.

· A large iron ring (diameter : 65mm) with a fragmentary split spike loop attached. Again, this object cannot be dated with any accuracy, although a Roman date is possible

· Three unidentified iron objects. Their function is obscured by corrosion products.

· Four scraps of lead waste (one tongue shaped; one flat, rectangular; one strip; and one folded).These are undiagnostic.

· A lead cube or tessera.

· A lead alloy object, possibly an amuletic phallus, dating to the Roman period. The identification of this object must remain tentative.

The metalwork cannot be said to be definitely associated with the coin hoard, so is not being considered as potential Treasure.

Disposition

Images taken including the irregular coins, one RIC variety, the solitary Christogram Magnentius coin and the first and last legible coins of the hoard (Licinius II and post-Magnentian Constantius II at Amiens).

Summary:

Amiens Trier Lyon Arles Rome Aquil. Siscia Eastern Uncert. Total

AD 318-24 - - - - - - - - 1 1

AD 330-5 - 38 17 7 1 - 1 4 3 71

AD 335-40 - 60 8 8 - 1 1 1 34 113

AD 341-8 - 123 9 11 7 - - - 13 163

AD 348-50 - 4 - 1 - - - - 3 8

AD 350-3 12 6 3 1 - - - - 18 40

AD 353-4 1 - - - - - - - 3 4

Illegible - - - - - - - - 6 6

Total 13 231 37 28 8 1 2 5 81 406

Irregular coins copying types of the following period:

AD 330-5 12

AD 335-40 17

AD 341-8 4

AD 348-50 3

AD 350-3 3

Total 39

Womersley II and Coleshill (legible coins, post-330)

Total (Womersley II); % Total (Coleshill); %

AD 330-5 71 16.3 96 3.1

AD 335-40 113 26 609 19.1

AD 341-8 163 37.5 1127 35.4

AD 348-50 8 1.8 448 14.1

AD 350-4 41 9.4 665 20.9

Irregular 39 9 234 7.4

Total 435 3179<a title="" href="fckeditor.html?InstanceName=description&Toolbar=Finds#_ftn1">[1]</a>

Irregular coins copying types of the following period:

Total (Womersley II); % Total (Coleshill); %

AD 330-5 12 30.8 14 6.0

AD 335-40 17 43.6 39 16.7

AD 341-8 4 10.3 25 10.7

AD 348-50 3 7.7 55 23.5

AD 350-3 3 7.7 101 43.1

Total 39 234