Find Spot record 8030/50 - Roman Finds, Foregate Street

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Summary

In 1779, a gold coin of Nero was found during construction work in Foregate St. Isolated coins are one of the most frequent discoveries in the English countryside. Coins may reflect the wealth and power of a settlement, and their distribution can help us analyse the geographical extent of territories or trace major commercial routes. During the Roman period coins were also an important means of distributing the image of the emperor across the empire. Often they carried pictures of gods or genii on the other side. The values of Roman coins changed during the course of the Republic and Empire. The basic unit was an as, a bronze coin originally weighing twelve ounces. Dupondii were worth approximately two asses, and denarii were silver coins worth approximately ten asses. There was also a slightly less common coin, a sestertius, which was worth a quarter of a denarius, or two and a half asses. Later on in the Empire the aureus was introduced, a gold coin which was worth 25 denarii.

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

In 1779, a gold coin of Nero was found. Inscribed IVPITER CVSTOS, Jupiter seated with thunderbolt and sceptre, during construction work in Foregate St. (1, 3). Because the precise findspot is unknown, the monument's GIS point has been placed in the centre of the street.


<1> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, /238-239 (Book). SCH2878.

<3> Davies. J. T (Reverend)., 1921, Catalogue of the Roman Coins in the Chester Museum, Davies J T & Longbottom F W 1921 24/153 (Article in Journal). SCH5687.

<4> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1948, Records of Archaeological Finds VI, Newstead R 1946 36/150/No.17 (Article in Journal). SCH5761.

<7> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/172 Petch D F 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Book: Thompson Watkin W. T.. 1886. Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester. /238-239.
  • <3> Article in Journal: Davies. J. T (Reverend).. 1921. Catalogue of the Roman Coins in the Chester Museum. Journal of the Chester Archaeological and Historic Society. Volume 24: 2. Davies J T & Longbottom F W 1921 24/153.
  • <4> Article in Journal: Newstead, R (Prof.). 1948. Records of Archaeological Finds VI. Journal of the Chester Archaeological and Historic Society. Volume 36, Part 2. Newstead R 1946 36/150/No.17.
  • <7> Book: Harris, B.E. (ed). 1987. Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I. 1/172 Petch D F 1987.

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

External Links (0)

Location

Grid reference SJ 40 66 (point) Possible Position
Map sheet SJ46NW
Civil Parish CHESTER NON PARISH AREA, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Historic Township/Parish/County CHESTER, CHESTER HOLY TRINITY, CHESHIRE

Protected Status/Designation

Record last edited

Apr 15 2024 11:45AM