Seaton Down Hoard coin, nummus commemorating Constantinopolis
A nummus of the type that weighed 1/132 of a pound. Made in AD 332 at the mint in Lyon in modern France. It is one of 251 similar coins in the Seaton Down Hoard.
The coin depicts the personification of the city of Constantinopolis on one side and a winged figure of Victory on the other. Coins like this were issued across the Roman world to celebrate the foundation of Constantine I’s brand new capital city. Constantinopolis later became Byzantium and is now Istanbul in modern Turkey.
A coin like this was the 1,000,000th object recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
RAMM acquired the Seaton Down hoard with help from a generous donation by Patrick and Sally Long, Clinton Devon Estates, Thomson Reuters, Devon County Council and many members of the public. Patrick and Sally Long were particularly keen that the coins are preserved for inspiration and wonder of children.
The conservation and display of the hoard and a project to engage with East Devon schools and communities was funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund with further public donations.
The coin depicts the personification of the city of Constantinopolis on one side and a winged figure of Victory on the other. Coins like this were issued across the Roman world to celebrate the foundation of Constantine I’s brand new capital city. Constantinopolis later became Byzantium and is now Istanbul in modern Turkey.
A coin like this was the 1,000,000th object recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
RAMM acquired the Seaton Down hoard with help from a generous donation by Patrick and Sally Long, Clinton Devon Estates, Thomson Reuters, Devon County Council and many members of the public. Patrick and Sally Long were particularly keen that the coins are preserved for inspiration and wonder of children.
The conservation and display of the hoard and a project to engage with East Devon schools and communities was funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund with further public donations.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 20/2016/111/1
- Collection Class
- Devon archaeology
- Collection Area Region
- Northern Europe
- Collector Excavator
- Alex Farnell, AC Archaeology
- Material
- copper alloy
- Common Name
- Seaton Down Hoard coin, nummus commemorating Constantinopolis
- Simple Name
- coin
- Period Classification
- Roman (43-410)
- Production Year Low
- 330
- Production Year High
- 335
