CC BY
61
№ 11. 2019
УДК 94(395)
DOI 10.24411/2713-2021-2019-00022
B. Borislavov, E. Georgieva, I. Prokopov, M. Doychinova
COIN HOARD FROM THE RESCUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AT SITE 11E — CHUKOVEZER VILLAGE, DRAGOMAN MUNICIPALITY. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH COIN HOARDS FROM THE REGION OF SOUTHWESTERN BULGARIA*
This paper focuses on coin hoard found in a ceramic vessel during rescue archeological excavations in Chukovezer village, Dragoman municipality, Sofia district. Coin hoard consists of 23 roman bronze coins — folles from the period of the Tetrarchy and Constantine the Great.
The earliest coins (2 coins) belong to emperors Galerius Maximianus and Maximinus II Daia. The most numerous coins (13 coins) are those struck under Constantine the Great. The next small group of coins (8 folles) belong to emperor Licinius I.
The event that provoked the concealment of the hoard was the First Civil War between Licinius I and Constantine I that began in 316, and the battle at Campus Mardiensis (Harmanli) in particular, taking place probably in the late 316 — early 317.
The further issue discussed in the paper is comparative analysis with coin hoards found in the region of the Southwestern Bulgaria with roman coins of the same period.
Key words: numismatics, coins, coin hoard, Roman coins.
About the authors: Borislav Borislavov1, PhD (archaeology), National Archaeological Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Sofia, Head of archaeological research at the Chukovezer village; Elitsa Georgieva2, Chief expert in Gold & Numismatic, First investment bank Sofia; Ilya Prokopov3, PhD (archaeology and ancient numismatics), ScD (history, archaeology and applied history), Professor, lecturer in South-West University Neofit Rilski (Blagoevgrad) and in University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (Sofia), Editor in chief of CCCHBulg.; Marina Doychinova4, PhD student in ancient numismatics, keeper of coin cabinet at Regional History Museum — Sofia, member of CCCHBulg.
Contact information: 1,2,3,41000, Bulgaria, Sofia, 1 Banski Sq., Regional History Museum — Sofia; email: gdoytsch@gmail.com.
Б. Бориславов, Е. Георгиева, И. Прокопов, М. Дойчинова
КОРПУС МОНЕТ, НАЙДЕННЫХ В ХОДЕ СПАСАТЕЛЬНЫХ АРХЕОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ РАСКОПОК В ПУНКТЕ 11Б — В ДЕРЕВНЕ ЧУКОВЕЗЕР, ДРАГОМАНСКИЙ МУНИЦИПАЛИТЕТ. СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ КОРПУСА МОНЕТ ИЗ РЕГИОНА ЮГО-ЗАПАДНОЙ БОЛГАРИИ
Эта статья посвящена кладу монет, найденному в керамическом сосуде во время спасательных археологических раскопок в деревне Чуковезер, муниципалитет Драгоман, район Софии. Клад монет состоит из 23 римских бронзовых монет — от периода тетрархии до Константина Великого.
Самые ранние монеты (2 монеты) принадлежат императорам Галерию Максимиану и Максимину II Дайе. Самые многочисленные монеты (13 монет) в копилке — это монеты, выпущенные во
Статья поступила в номер 11 ноября 2019 г. Принята к печати 2 декабря 2019 г.
© В. Borislavov, Е. Georgieva, I. Prokopov, М. Doychinova, 2019.
времена правления Константина Великого. Следующая небольшая группа монет — 8 фоллисов принадлежат императору Лицинию I.
Событием, спровоцировавшим сокрытие клада от Чуковезера, стала Первая гражданская война между Лицинием I и Константином I, начавшаяся в 316 году, и, в частности, битва при Кампусе Мардиенсис (Харманли), которая, вероятно, произошла в конце 316 — в начале 317 г.
Еще одним вопросом, обсуждаемым в статье, является сравнительный анализ монетных кладов, найденных в регионе юго-западной Болгарии с римскими монетами того же периода.
Ключевые слова: нумизматика, монеты, клад монет, римские монеты.
Об авторах: Борислав Бориславов1, PhD (archaeology), Национальный археологический институт Болгарской академии наук, София, руководитель отдела археологических исследований в деревне Чуковезер; Элица Георгиева2, главный эксперт «Gold & Numismatic», Первый инвестиционный банк София; Илья Прокопов3, доктор философии (археология и древняя нумизматика), доктор наука (история, археология и прикладная история), профессор, преподаватель Юго-Западного университета «Неофит Рилски» (Благоевград) и Университета библиотечных исследований и информационных технологий (София), главный редактор CCCHBulg.; Марина Дойчинова4, аспирант по древней нумизматике, хранитель монетного кабинета Краеведческого музея — София, член CCCHBulg.
Контактная информация: 1,2,3,41000, Болгария, г. София, пл. Бански 1, Краеведческий музей — София; e-mail: gdoytsch@gmail.com.
The object of study was the treasure of late roman bronze coins found during excavations of the settlement on the site of the modern Chukovezer village (Dragoman municipality, Sofia district) in 2015.
Analysis of the coin hoard
The coin hoard was discovered kept in a ceramic vessel at 11E Site (fig. 1). It is composed of 23 Roman bronze coins — folles from the period of 309/310—313/317. According to the surviving images and legends on the obverse surface of the coins, they are distributed as follows in a chronological order:
• Galerius Maximianus (293—311) — 1 coin;
• Maximinus Daia (305—313) — 1 coin;
• Licinius I (308—324) — 8 coins;
• Constantine I (306—337) — 13 coins.
The earliest coin is a follis of Emperor Galerius Maximianus (Cat. No. 1). It was issued in 309/310 with the type of Genius with a modius on his head, a patera, a Cornucopia, and a crescent in the field to the left. The legend on the reverse is GENIO [AVGVSTI]. The coin was struck in the second officina (B) of the mint in Siscia (RIC VI 1967: 479, No. 198a).
The next follis belongs to Emperor Maximinus Daia (Cat. No. 2), struck in 311 of the type of IOVI CONSERVATOR! bearing the image of Jupiter holding a statue of Victoria and a scepter. The coin was issued by the mint in Nicomedia, the first officina (A) (RIC VI 1967: 566, No. 69b, A). This type of folles is peculiar of the coinage of Maximinus Daia (until his death in 313), Licinius I and Constantine I. It was introduced simultaneously in the mints of Heraclea and Thessaloniki in 313 (RIC VI 1967: 527).
The coins of Emperor Licinius I are 8 folles. All of them belong to the type of IOVI CONSERVATOR! with the image of Jupiter with the statue of Victoria over a globe and a scepter, and in the field to the left — eagle with a wreath in the beak. The coins display different variants of the legend on the reverse. Depending on the mint that issued them, they are dating from the period 313—313/317. One follis was issued by the mint of Heraclea (Cat. No. 3), the first (A) officina,
№ 11. 2019
struck in 313 and bearing a legend of IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG (RIC VI 1967: 541, No. 73, type 2A). Two of the folles of the type of IOVI CONSERVATORI come from the mint of Nicomedia (Cat. No. 9, 19) (RIC VII 1966: 601, No. 13) — the first (A) and sixth (S) officina. They were struck in the period of 313—317. Still another follis is from the fourth (A) officina in the mint of Siscia (Cat. No. 14), struck in 313 and with the legend of IOVI CONSERVATORI [AVGG NN] (RIC VI 1967: 485, No. 234a). The folles from the mint of Thessaloniki are the most — 4 coins, struck in the third (T) (Cat. No. 21), fourth (A) (Cat. No. 17) and fifth (E) (Cat. No. 15) officina. The officina of one of the coins from Thessaloniki is not clearly defined (Cat. No. 20). They were issued in the period of 313—316. The legends on the reverse are IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG.
The largest group of coins belongs to Emperor Constantine I — 13 folles. Two of them bear the image of Sol and the legend on the reverse of SOLI INVICTO COMITI1 (Cat. No. 5, 16) (Filipova 2013: 296). Both coins from the hoard come from the mint of Rome struck in 314 (RIC VII 1966: 298, No. 18 (?), 19 (?)). The remaining 11 folles of Constantine I display the image of Jupiter with the statue of Victoria and a scepter. In the field to the left — 10 folles have eagle with a wreath in the beak, and one is only with a wreath (Cat. No. 13) (RIC VI 1967: 518, No. 50b, r). Depending on the mint the coins were issued by, they are dating from 312/313—313/314 and represent different variants of the legend on the reverse. One of the coins comes from the mint in Siscia (Cat. No. 18), struck in the second officina (B) (RIC VI 1967: 484, No. 232b (?); RIC VII 1966: 423, No. 3) in 312/313—315 (?). The legend on the reverse reads IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG N[N]. Three of the folles are from the mint in Heraclea (Cat. No. 7, 8, 11) as two were struck in the second officina (B) and one — in fifth one (E), in 313—314. The legend on their reverses reads IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG. The presence of the folles from the mint in Thessaloniki is the most massive — 7 coins. The officinas they were struck in are the second (B) — 1 coin (Cat. No. 10); third (r) — 1 (Cat. No. 13); and fifth (E) — 4 (Cat. No. 4, 6, 12, 22). One of the officinas in Thessaloniki has not been exactly defined (Cat. No. 23). The coins from Thessaloniki were struck in 312—313. The legend on their reverses reads IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG NN.
According to the mints, the coins are distributed territorially as follows: From Italy:
• Rome — 2 coins;
From Central and Eastern Europe:
• Siscia — 3 coins;
• Thessaloniki — 11 coins; From Propontis:
• Heraclea — 4 coins;
• Nicomedia — 3 coins;
The coins issued by the eastern mints of the Empire predominate. Among them, the coins coming from Thessaloniki prevail — 11 coins. On the other hand, the presence of coins from the western mints is also noted, and from the one in Rome in particular. The same picture we can observe with most of the coin hoards found in the Southwestern Bulgaria, as well as in the whole country.
The weight of the folles is within the limits of 1,894—5,881 g which is a normal deviation from the standard introduced byConstantine the Great and has been registered with other folles and their subdivisions and also with the weight standards for control of the coin weights.
1 The Invincible Sun (Sol) was the principle Roman god after the defeat of Maxentius in 312. This coin type was introduced by Constantine I and was issued during the period of 307—317 by the Western mints of the Empire.
Table 1. Coin hoard from Chukovezer village
No. Emperor Mint Marks Terminus Number of coins
1 Galerius Maximianus Siscia 299 CE 1
2 Maximinus II Daia Nicomedia 311 CE 1
3 Constantine The Great Thessalonica Siscia Heraclea Rome 312—313 CE =7 312—313 CE =1 313—314 CE =3 314 CE = 2 13
4 Licinius I Siscia Heraclea Thessalonica Nicomedia 313 CE =1 313 CE =1 313—316 CE =4 313—317 CE =2 8
Comparative material
Having in mind the provenance, and in order to make the analysis of the hoard from Chukovezer, Dragoman region more accurate, the comparative material includes only coin hoards from Southwestern Bulgaria (Filipova 2013). Only the folles from the period of 309/310—317 will be considered in detail.
1. Erul village, Tran region (Filov 1910: 229; Seure 1923: 31, No. 59; Gerov 1961: 329; Filipova 2013: 43, 375)
A coin hoard of 82 copper folles found in a pot in 1909 near the village. It contain folles of Emperors Galerius Maximianus; Licinius I and Constantine the Great minted during the period of 306—324. The coins entered the National Museum of Archaeology — Sofia.
2. Zabel village, Tran region (Vladimirova-Paunova 2003: 215—225; Filipova 2013: 375)
A coin hoard discovered in a grave on August 16 2001 at St. Spas site near the village, within the limits of the Roman necropolis, over a slope next to a dirt road, at a 0,20 m depth. The coins were left as grave goods. The hoard is composed of 16 copper and silver plated coins — folles and half folles of Emperors Licinius I — 4 coins; Constantine I — 10 coins, issued up to 324. One of the coins is a Barbarian imitation of the type of Two Victoria; and Constantine II (317—340). Date of concealment 330—340. The hoard is housed in the Museum of History — Pernik.
3. Krivonos village, Breznik region (Filipova 2013: 376—377)
A hoard of 32 (?) Late Antique copper and silver plated coins — folles and half folles. It was discovered in May 2001 in a withered pouch over a high plateau near an Antique tumular necropolis. The coins belong to Emperors Diocletian (284—305) — 4 folles of the type of GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Galerius Maximianus as Caesar (293—305) — one follis of GENIO POPVLI ROMANI Type; Constantius I Chlorus as Caesar (293—305) — 2 folles, one of SACRA MONETA AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR Type struck in Siscia, second (B) officina and one of
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GENIO POPVLI ROMANI Type, struck in Thessaloniki; Licinius I — 2 small folles from 312— 324; Constantine I — 3 coins, one of them of IOVI CONSERVATORI Type, minted in Heraclea, fifth (E) officina; Constantine II as Caesar (317—337) — one copper coin. Most of the coins are unrecognizable — with a poor quality patina and damaged surface. The hoard was probably buried ca. 324/325. It is housed in MH — Pernik.
4. Karnalovo village, Petrich region (Filipova 2010: 85—98; 2013: 293—298, 377—378)
A hoard comprising 79 Late Antique bronze coins — folles of Emperors Diocletian — 2 coins; Maximianus Herculius (286—310) — 1; Galerius Maximianus (293—311) — 4, 2 of them struck in Heraclea in 308—309 and 310 of GENIO IMPERATORIS Type, one from the mint of Siscia struck in 310—313 of GENIO AVGVSTI Type; Galeria Valeria (308—311) — 1; Maximinus II Daia (305—313) — 12 coins struck in 308—313, 3 of them of GENIO CAESARIS Type from the mints of Heraclea (1 coin), Nicomedia (1 coin) and Alexandria (1 coin), one coin of HERCVLI VICTORI from the second officina of the mint of Nicomedia, 4 coins in the variants of the type of IOVI CONSERVATORI from the mints of Thessaloniki (2 coins), Antioch (1 coin) and Siscia (1 coin), 4 coins of GENIO AVGVSTI Type from the mints of Nicomedia (2 coins) and Antioch (2 coins); Licinius I — 33 coins, one of them of GENIO AVGVSTI Type from the mint of Siscia struck in 309—311, 30 coins in the variants of IOVI CONSERVATORI Type issued in 311—316 by the mints of Siscia (3 coins), Thessaloniki (13 coins), Heraclea (6 coins), Nicomedia (2), and Cyzicus (6), 2 coins of SOLI INVICTO COMITI Type — 1 coin from the third (r) officina in the mint of Arle and 1 coin an obliterated indication of the mint; Constantine I — 26 coins, one of them of SOLI INVICTO COMITI Type struck in 309—310 in the mint of Lugdunum, 21 coins of IOVI CONSERVATORI Type struck in 311/313 and 313/317 in the mints of Siscia (2), Thessaloniki (8), Heraclea (4), Nicomedia (2), Cyzicus (4) and 1 coin with an obliterated indication of the mint, 4 coins of SOLI INVICTO COMITI Type — one coin from the mints of Rome and Arle, and 2 coins have the mint indications obliterated. The coins cover the period of 299—316. Their quality is good and on most of them the silver coating is retained. The weight of the coins varies in the range of 9,6/9,3 g with the heavy folles of Diocletian — to ca. 3,0 g with the latest coins of Constantine I and Licinius I. The good quality of the coins does not imply their long use and depositing. The reason for hiding the hoard can be looked for in the time around 316 — the First civil war between Constantine I and Licinius I.
5. Lilyach village, Kyustendil region (Filipova 2013: 215, 383)
A coin hoard discovered while developing the stone quarry near the village. It is composed of 254 copper coins from the mid 3rd — mid 5th c. Two of the coins are folles of Galerius Maximianus of the GENIO AVGVSTI Type bearing an image of a Genius holding Cornucopia and a patera. They were issued by the mint of Thessaloniki in 308/310 and 310/311. The hoard is housed in the Regional Museum of History — Kyustendil, Inv. No. 1289—1317, 1360—1445.
6. Nedelkova Grashtitsa village, Kyustendil region (Yurukova 1985: 61; Filipova 2013: 211, 384—385)
A hoard of 19 Late Antique copper coins from the first half of the 4th c. It was found in 1953, in a Late Antique grave while digging foundations of a house. The coins were left in a bowl next to the skull. According to the information given, all the coins belonged to Constantine I). In fact, it
contains a fraction of Constantius I Chlorus (293—306) from the period of 295—299 and 18 folles and light folles of Constantine the Great from the period of 311—335. The first two coins of Constantine I are folles of IOVI CONSERVATOR! Type bearing an image Jupiter holding Victoria on a globe and a scepter, and an eagle next to his right leg. One of them was struck in the mint of Thessaloniki in 312—313. The indication of the mint on the second coin of the same type is obliterated. The next two coins belong to the same type with Jupiter but were issued after the reduction of the follis in the late 313 by the mints of Nicomedia in 313—317 and Thessaloniki in 317—318. The hoard entered the Numismatic depot of RMH — Kyustendil — Inv. No. 538—556.
7. Polenitsa village, Sandanski region (Filipova, Ivanov, Petkov 2016: 136—148)
A coin hoard of 75 bronze coins covering the period of 311/313 (Constantine I) — 351/361 (Constantius II). Five of the coins are folles — 4 coins of Licinius I and one of Constantine I. All of them belong to IOVI CONSERVATORI Type. Two of Licinius' coins come from the mint of Thessaloniki (312—313), fifth (E) officina, one — from the fourth (A) officina in Siscia (313) and one — from third (r) officina in Cyzicus (317—320). The follis of Constantine I was struck in the mint of Thessaloniki (312—313), fifth (E) officina. The hoard is housed in the Museum of Archaeology — Sandanski.
8. Koprivlen village, Gotse Delchev region (Aladzhova 2002: 261—273; 2006: 57; Filipova, Andonova, Prokopov 2016: 262—283)
A hoard of 153 bronze coins from Koprivlen discovered in April 2001 during archaeological research of the necropolis at Kozluka site, grave 377. The hoard contains one Antoninianus of Emperor Maximianus Herculius; and 140 folles of Emperors Diocletian — 24 coins; Maximianus Herculius — 28 coins; Constantius I Chlorus — 11; Galerius Maximianus — 50 struck in the period of 296—309/310, 12 of them of GENIO POPVLI ROMANI Type in the mint of Siscia (1coin), Rome (1), Heraclea (4), Thessaloniki (4) and Serdica (2); 7 coins of SACRA MONETA AVGG ET CAESSType from the mints of Ticinum (2 coins), Aquileia (3) and Siscia (2), one coin of IOVI CONSERVATORI Type from the mint of Siscia; 18 coins of GENIO AVGVSTI Type from the mints of Thessaloniki (12 coins), Serdica (4) and Cyzicus (2); 8 coins of GENIO IMPERATORIS Type from the mints of Heraclea (7) and Cyzicus (1); one coin of GENIO AVGVSTI CMH from the mint of Nicomedia; and 3 coins of VIRTVTI EXERCITI Type from the mints of Thessaloniki (1), Cyzicus (1) and Heraclea (1); Galeria Valeria (308—311) — 8 coins; Maximinus Daia — 12 coins issued in the period of 305/306—308/310, 1 coin of CONCORD IMPERII Type from the mint of Alexandria, 2 coins of GENIO POPVLI ROMANI Type by the mint of Serdica, 2 coins of GENIO AVGG ET CAESARVM NN Type from the mint of Cyzicus and 7 coins of GENIO CAESARIS Type from the mints of Cyzicus (2 coins) and Thessaloniki (1 coin); Licinius I — 5 coins struck in the period of 308/310—312, 4 of them of GENIO AVGVSTI Type in the mint of Thessaloniki and one coin of IOVI CONSERVATORI Type also from the mint of Thessaloniki; Constantine I — 2 coins struck in 312/313 of IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG NN Type in the mint of Thessaloniki; 12 fractions of Diocletian (6 coins) and Maximian Herculius (6 coins). The hoard covers the period from 292/295 (Maximianus Herculius' Antoninianus) to 312/313 (both folles of Constantine I). It is housed in the Museum of History — Gotse Delchev.
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9. The middle flow of Struma River (Filipova 2012: 33; 2013: 291—293)
The hoard was purchased in 1998 by Pautalia Foundation. Concerning its provenance, all we know is that it comes from the middle flow of Struma River and probably is only a portion of a larger coin hoard (Filipova 1998: 27—33). It comprises 70 bronze coins — folles of Emperors Maximinus Daia — one coin struck in 311—313, as the indication of the mint and the legend on the reverse are obliterated, but the image has survived — Jupiter standing to the left, holding Victoria on a globe and a scepter, next to him to the left — an eagle with a wreath in the beak thus giving a hint about the legend —IOVI CONSERVATORI or any of its variants; Licinius I — 45 coins struck in the period of 311—317, one of GENIO AVGVSTI Type from the mint of Nicomedia, 44 coins of IOVI CONSERVATORI Typefrom the mints of Thessaloniki (7 coins), Heraclea (30) and Nicomedia (4) and 3 coins with their indication of the mint obliterated; 24 coins of Constantine I struck in 312—315 also of the type of IOVI CONSERVATORI and various variants of spelling the legend on the reverse, coming from the mints of Thessaloniki (4 coins), Heraclea (13), Siscia (2), Cyzicus (1) and 4 coins their indication of the mint obliterated. The hoard covers the period of 311—317. It is housed in the Museum of History — Kyustendil.
Conclusion
The coin hoards comprising folles from the period of 309/310—317 become ten in number together with the one here discussed from Chukovezer village. Their territorial scope from the north to south covers Chukovezer, Dragoman region, the contemporary Pernik district (Breznik and Tran regions), the regions of Kyustendil valley with a centre in the Antique Pautalia (Kyustendil), the Middle Struma region with the Antique towns near Sandanski and Petrich, and Koprivlen village, Gotse Delchev region.
After the administrative reforms in the late 3rd and early 4th c. launched by Emperors Diocletian and Constantine I, the territories along the middle flow of Struma River entered the territory of the Diocesisof Macedonia with the major town of Thessaloniki including also the territories of the Late Antique towns next to the modern Sandanski and Petrich.
A well-developed and organized network of major and secondary roads operated in this territory, facilitating contacts between urban centers and other settlements and settlement structures.Main roads of inter-provincial importance also passed through it giving essential importance to the formation of the road network: Serdica — Pautalia — Stobi road; the road along the Struma River Valley from Serdica through the Middle Struma region to the Aegean seashore which joined Via Egnatia at Amphipolis; and the road connecting Pautalia through Germania with Philippopolis; as well as a series of secondary roads (Filipova 2013: 346—347).
By their status, the archaeological sites whose coin hoards are under consideration have the following character: the main urban centre of the period — Pautalia; the Late Antique settlement — Karnalovo village, Petrich region; the necropolises — the villages of Nedelkova Grashtitsa, Kyustendil region, Zabel, Tran region, Koprivlen, Gotse Delchev region, and Krivonos, Breznik region (near the necropolis).Two of the hoards are stray finds (the villages of Erul, Tran region and Lilyach, Kyustendil region), and one was purchased as its exact provenance remained unclear (all we know is that it comes from the middle flow of Struma River).
In the course of 4th — 5th c. the main coin circulation in the region of the Upper and Middle Struma involved bronze, and billon respectively, denominations. This was due to the fact that during this period the area was far from the borders of the Empire. There were no major military
formations in this territory and having in mind the use of gold mainly for the salaries of the legions and the payment of indemnities, the relatively small number of golden coins that are known is quite natural.At the same time the bronze/billon coins were characteristic for the everyday commodity — money relations (Filipova 2013: 356—357).
On the grounds of the comparative analysis of the ten coin hoards 363 bronze coins have been registered — folles of Emperors Galerius Maximianus, Maximinus II Daia, Licinius I and Constantine I. Concerning the hoard from Erul village, Tran region, we know only the total number (82), the period covered (306—324) and the emperors whose coins take part in the hoard — Galerius Maximianus, Licinius I and Constantine I. In the other 9 hoards, 58 coins belong to Galerius Maximianus, 26 coins — to Maximinus II Daia, 102 coins — to Licinius I, and 95 coins to Constantine I. The hoard from Karnalovo village, Petrich region is the most similar in composition and time rangeto the one from Chukovezer.
The event that provoked the concealment of the hoard from Chukovezer was the First civil war between Licinius I and Constantine I that began in 316, and the battle at Campus Mardiensis (Harmanli) in particular, taking place probably in the late 316 — early 317.The army of Licinius I was defeated and he was forced to seek peace from his rival. After the victory, the provinces of Pannonia, Dalmatia, Dacia, Macedonia and Greece were annexed to the possessions of Constantine I. On the Balkans, only the Province of Thrace remained under the control of Licinius I (Gibbon 1998: 84 — 85). Probably the latest in date coins in the hoard were issued before March 1st 317 (RIC VII 1966: 600), when, after the end of the war between Constantine I and Licinius I both Augusts declared in Serdica the sons of Constantine I Caesars — Crispus (317—326) and Constantine II and the son of Licinius — Licinius II (317—324) (RIC VII 1966: 76; Gibbon 1998: 85; Filipova 2013: 343—344, 365—366). It seems that the military actions provoked the concealment of a series of coin hoards — the ones from the villages of Arnautovo, Balchik, Bliznak, Gita, Novae (Svishtov region), and Razboyna (Filipova 2013: 366).
Catalogue
1. Maximian. Siscia Mint. 299 CE.
Obv. IMP MAXIMIANVS PF AVG, laureate head right.
Rev. GENIO [POPVLI ROMANI], Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae; lighted altar, B to left, crescent to right. SIS in exergue.
AE Follis. 26 x 24 mm; 5,881 g; 6 h. RIC VI 108b, B
2. Maximinus II Daia. Nicomedia Mint. Struck 311 CE.
Obv. IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, laureate bust right.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing facing, head left, chlamys across left shoulder, leaning on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in right hand. In right field — A. SMN in exergue.
AE Follis. 20,5 x 22 mm; 4,040 g; 13 h. RIC VI 69b
№ 11. 2019
3. Licinius I. Sirmium Mint. Struck 313 CE.
Obv. IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG. laureate bust right.
Rev. IOVI CONSER-VATORI AVGG. Jupiter standing facing. head left. chlamys across left shoulder. leaning on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in right hand. eagle with wreath to left. In right field — A. SMSM in exergue.
AE Follis. 20.5 x 20.5 mm; 3.023 g; 6 h. RIC VI 73 type 2. A
4. Constantine I. Thessalonica Mint. struck between 312—313 CE.
Obv. IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Laureate bust r.. draped and cuirassed.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG NN. Jupiter stg. facing. head l.. chlamys across l. shoulder.
leaning on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in r. hand. eagle with wreath to l.
•TS^G^ in exergue.
AE Follis. 22 x 21 mm; 2.516 g; 6 h.
RIC VI 61b. E
5. Constantine I. struck 316 CE.
Obv. IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Laureate bust r.. draped and cuirassed.
Rev. SOLI INVICTO COMITI. Sol standing l.. raising r. hand and holding globus in outstretched l..
in left field — R/B?.R*?
Sin exergue.
AE Follis. 20 x 20 mm; 3.221 g; 12 h.
6. Constantine I. Thessalonica Mint. struck between 312 — 313 CE.
Obv. IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Laureate bust r.. draped and cuirassed.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG NN. Jupiter stg. facing. head l.. chlamys across l. shoulder.
leaning on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in r. hand. eagle with wreath to l.
•T[S] wreath? •G^ in exergue.
AE Follis. 23 x 23.5 mm; 3.288 g; 11 h.
RIC VI 61b. E (?)
7. Constantine I. Heraclea Mint. struck between 313—314 CE. Obv. IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG. Jupiter stg. facing. head l.. chlamys across l. shoulder. leaning on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in r. hand. eagle with wreath to l.. in right field — G. SMHT in exergue.
AE Follis. 22 x 23 mm; 2.798 g; 6 h. RIC VI 75.1
8. Constantine I. Heraclea Mint. struck between 313—314 CE. Obv. IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG. Jupiter stg. facing. head l.. chlamys across l. shoulder. leaning on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in r. hand. eagle with wreath to l.. in right field — B. SMHT in exergue.
AE Follis. 21.5 x 22 mm; 3.336 g; 12 h. RIC VI 75
9. Licinius I, Nicomedia Mint, struck between 313—317 CE. Obv. IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG, Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR!, Jupiter stg. facing, head l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand, eagle with wreath to l., in right field — S. SMN in exergue.
AE Follis, 21 x 23 mm; 2,566 g; 13 h. RIC VII 1966 13
10. Constantine I, Thessalonica Mint, struck between 312—313 CE.
Obv. IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Laureate bust r., draped and cuirassed.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR! AVGG NN, Jupiter stg. facing, head l., chlamys across l. shoulder,
leaning on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand, eagle with wreath to l.
•TS*B^ in exergue.
AE Follis, 22 x 22,5 mm; 3,237 g;12 h.
RIC VI 61b, B
11. Constantine I, Heraclea Mint, struck between 313—314 CE. Obv. IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR! AVGG, Jupiter stg. facing, head l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand, eagle with wreath to l., in field — B. SMHTin exergue.
AE Follis, 21 x 21 mm; 3,389 g; 6 h. RIC VI 75
12. Constantine I, Thessalonica Mint, struck between 312—313 CE.
Obv. IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Laureate bust r., draped and cuirassed.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR! AVGG NN, Jupiter stg. facing, head l., chlamys across l. shoulder,
leaning on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand, eagle with wreath to l.
•TS^C^ in exergue.
AE Follis, 23 x 22,5 mm; 2,428 g; 13 h.
RIC VI 61b, E
13. Constantine I, Thessalonica Mint, struck between 312—313 CE. Obv. CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR!, Jupiter stg. facing, head l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on
sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand, wreath to l., in right field — r.
• SM^TS^ in exergue.
AE Follis, 22,5 x 22 mm; 4,379 g; 11 h.
RIC VI 50b
14. Licinius I, Siscia Mint, struck 313 CE.
Obv. IMP LIC LICINIVS P F AVG, Laureate bust r., draped and cuirassed. Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR! [AVGG NN], Jupiter stg. facing, head l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand, eagle with wreath to l., in right field A. SIS in exergue.
AE Follis, 21 x 22,5 mm; 3,611 g;12 h. RIC VI 233 a
№ 11. 2019
15. Licinius I. Thessalonica Mint. struck between 313—316 CE. Obv. IMP LIC LICINIVS P F AVG. Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR! AVG. Jupiter stg. facing. head l.. chlamys across l. shoulder. leaning
on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in r. hand. eagle with wreath to l.
•TS^G^ in exergue.
AE Follis. 22 x 22 mm; 3.189 g;11 h.
RIC VI 60
16. Constantine I. struck 316 CE.
Obv. IMP CONSTANTIN[VS P F AVG]. Laureate bust r.. draped and cuirassed.
Rev. SOLI INV[ICTO] COMITI. Sol standing l.. raising r. hand and holding globus in outstretched
l.. in left field R. in right field F. R*?
S/r/F? in exergue.
AE Follis. 18 x 20.5 mm; 2.541 g; 7 h. RIC VI 50
17. Licinius I. Thessalonica Mint. struck 313—316 CE.
Obv. [IMP] LIC LICINIVS P F AVG. Laureate bust r.. draped and cuirassed.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR! AVG. Jupiter stg. facing. head l.. chlamys across l. shoulder. leaning
on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in r. hand. eagle with wreath to l.
•TS^A in exergue.
AE Follis. 22.5 x 22 mm; 3.049 g;12 h. RIC VII 1966 3
18. Constantine I. Siscia Mint. struck 312—313 CE. Obv. IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGGN[N]. Jupiter stg. facing. head l.. chlamys across l. shoulder. leaning on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in r. hand. eagle with wreath to l.. in right field B. SIS in exergue.
AE Follis. 22.5 x 21.5 mm; 2.577 g; 12 h.
19. Licinius I. NicomediaMint. struck between 313—317 CE. Obv. IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG. Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI. Jupiter stg. facing. head l.. chlamys across l. shoulder. leaning on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in r. hand. eagle with wreath to l.. in right field A. SMNin exergue.
AE Follis. 22 x 22.5 mm; 1.894 g; 6 h. RIC VII 1966 13
20. Licinius I. Thessalonica Mint. struck 313—316 CE. Obv. IMP LIC LICINIVS PF AVG. Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG. Jupiter stg. facing. head l.. chlamys across l. shoulder. leaning
on sceptre. holding Victory on globe in r. hand. eagle with wreath to l.
TSM (?) in exergue.
AE Follis. 22 x 21 mm; 2.533 g; 12 h.
21. Licinius I, ThessalonicaMint, struck between 313—316 CE. Obv. IMP LIC LICINIVS PF AVG, Laureate bust r.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR! AVG, Jupiter stg. facing, head l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning
on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand, eagle with wreath to l.
•TS^r^ in exergue.
AE Follis, 21 x 23,5 mm; 2,576 g; 12 h.
RIC VII 1966 3
22. Constantine I, Thessalonica Mint, struck between 312—313 CE.
Obv. IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Laureate bust r., draped and cuirassed.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR! AVGG NN, Jupiter stg. facing, head l., chlamys across l. shoulder,
leaning on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand, eagle with wreath to l.
•TS^C^ in exergue.
AE Follis, 21 x 21 mm; 2,989 g; 5 h.
RIC VI 61b, E
23. Constantine I, Thessalonica Mint, struck between 312—313 CE.
Obv. IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Laureate bust r., draped and cuirassed.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATOR! AVGG NN, Jupiter stg. facing, head l., chlamys across l. shoulder,
leaning on sceptre, holding Victory on globe in r. hand, eagle with wreath to l.
•TS^B? in exergue.
AE Follis, 23 x 22 mm; 3,446 g;12 h.
RIC VI 61b
№ 11. 2019
References
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Aladzhova, D. 2006. Kolektivni monetni nakhodki IV—VI vek ot rayona na Sredna Mesta (Collective coinage finds 4th — 6th century from the area to the Sredna Mesta). In: Dimitrova-Milcheva, A., Katsarova, V. (eds.). Spartak (Spartacus) II. 2075 godini ot vastanieto na Spartak. Trako-Rimsko nasledstvo. 2000 godini hristijanstvo: mezhdunaroden simpozium 1-4 oktomvri 2002 godina, Sandanski (2075 years since the uprising of Spartacus. Thracian-Roman heritage. 2000 years of Christianity: International Symposium 1-4 October 2002, Sandanski). Veliko Tarnovo: "Faber" Publ., 57—60 (in Bulgarian).
Filipova, Sv. 1998. Kolektivna nahodka ot rimski moneti ot IV vek (Collective find of Roman coins from the 4th century). Numizmatichni izsledvania (Numismatic Studies) 1—2, 27—33 (in Bulgarian).
Filipova, Sv. 2010. Kolektivna monetna nahodka ot selo Karnalovo, Petrichko (Collective coinage find from the village Karnalovo, Petrichko). Numizmatika, sfragistika i epigrafika (Numismatics, Sphragistics and Epigraphics) 6, 85—98 (in Bulgarian).
Filipova, Sv. 2012. Monetna tsirkulatsiya po srednoto techenie na reka Struma v perioda 294—498 g. (Coin circulation along the middle course of the Struma River in the period 294—498). Numizmatika, sfragistika i epigrafika (Numismatics, Sphragistics and Epigraphics) 8, 31—50 (in Bulgarian).
Filipova, Sv. 2013. Coin circulation in Late Antiquity (294—498) along the upper and middle reaches of the Struma River. PhD Thesis. Sofia.
Filipova, Sv., Andonova, M., Prokopov, I.S. 2016. Hoard from Koprivlen. In: Prokopov, I.S. CCCHBulg. Vol. VI. Numismatic collections of the Museums at Sandanski (Ancient Medius-Particopolis), Petrich (Ancient Heraclea Sintica/Strimonica) and Gotse Delchev (Ancient Nikopolis ad Nestum). Sofia: "ProVias Ltd." Publ., 262—283.
Filipova, Sv., Ivanov, S., Petkov, Vl. 2016. Hoard from Polenitsa, Locality "The Shed". In: Prokopov, I.S. CCCHBulg. Vol. VI. Numismatic collections of the Museums at Sandanski (Ancient Medius-Particopolis), Petrich (Ancient Heraclea Sintica/Strimonica) and Gotse Delchev (Ancient Nikopolis ad Nestum). Sofia: "ProVias Ltd." Publ., 136—148.
Filipova, Sv., Paunov, E., Prokopov, I. 2011. Moneti i monetni nakhodki ot prouchvaneto na "Karakochovata mogila" i na "Chitashkata mogila" v s. Bratya Daskalovi, Starozagorska oblast (Coins and Coin Finds from the Survey of "Karakochova Mound" and "Chitashka Mogila" in the Bratya Daskalovi Village of Stara Zagora Region). In: Tonkova, M. (ed.). Trako-rimski dinastichen tsentr v raiona na Chirpanskite vzvisheniya (Traco-Roman Dynastic Center in the Region of the Chirpan Heights). Sofia: "Mart" Publ., 44—53 (in Bulgarian).
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Seure, G. 1923. Trésors de monnaies antiques en Bulgarie. III. Le trésor de Nicolaévo. RN 26, 111—153.
Vladimirova-Paunova, V. 2003. Antichen nekropol krai s. Zabel, Transko (Rezultati ot arkheoloticheskite razkopki prez 1999—2000 godina) (Ancient necropolis near of Zabel village, Transko). In Izvestiya na Istoricheski muzei Kyustendil (Proceedings of the Kyustendil History Museum). Vol. IX. Pt. II, 215—225 (in Bulgarian).
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Fig. 1. Coin hoard in situ (Photo by the Authors).
№ 11. 2019
Fig. 2. Coin hoard found in Chukovezer village (Photo by the Authors).
