Beachy Head Hoard 2 (1964)

In April 1964 3173 Roman coins were found by a Mr R P Williams on Bullock Down Farm near Beachy Head. These coins were found within a few yards of another hoard also found by Mr Williams in November AD 1961. Both hoards contained coins which were of similar vintage both dating mainly from the 3^rd Century AD.

The coins from the AD 1964 hoard consist mainly of silver antoninianus. These date from Caracalla who became emperor in AD 198 through to around AD 266 which was during the reign of Gallienus.  After AD 260 Postumus, who was an usurper emperor, also reigned in Gaul and Britain. There were also 27 silver denarius in the hoard and these date from Caracalla through to Gordian III. No coins were found to date from the final periods of Gallienus or Postumus both of whom were assassinated in AD 268 suggesting a date of deposition just before.

The first hoard found in AD 1961 was considerably larger containing 5294 coins. These coins were mostly copper based and were slightly later dating from around AD 254 through to AD 275. Gallienus through to Aurelian. A third hoard was also found nearby in AD 1973 and this contained around 3000 silver antoninianus also dating from around the middle of the 3^rd Century AD. It is possible therefore that all the hoards were buried by the same person however it has not been possible to ascertain the order in which the hoards were buried.

One of the notable features of the Beachy Head hoards is the quality of the coins both in their striking and in the case of the silver coins the quality of the silver alloy. This alloy used was remarkably good for the period which coincided with a major deterioration as well as debasement of the coinage generally.

The coins we offer here each come with a collectors handwritten label giving details of the coin and stating this hoard provenance (as shown here to right).

A detailed report of the hoard can be viewed here: Hoard ID: IARCH-666105 – ROMAN HOARD