Roman hoard of Constantine the Great from Auxerre (O2521)

Roman Coin Hoard near Auxerre (France)

Description of the Find

In the vicinity of Auxerre (Yonne Department, Burgundy, France), a group of 22 Roman bronze coins was discovered by a Dutch metal detectorist.

The assemblage consists mainly of folles (nummi) issued under Constantine the Great (A.D. 306–337), supplemented by a few pieces of Crispus (A.D. 317–326) and Constantine II (A.D. 317–340).

All coins were struck at the mint of Ticinum (modern Pavia, northern Italy) and bear the mintmarks PT and TT, denoting the prima and tertia officina respectively. The reverses feature the inscriptions VOT X and VOT XX within a laurel wreath, frequently accompanied by a crescent as a control mark. This combination is typical of the Constantinian jubilee issues from the first half of the 4th century.

Crispus and Constantine II

The presence of Crispus, the eldest son of Constantine the Great, provides a firm chronological anchor for the group. Appointed Caesar in A.D. 317, Crispus commanded important military operations in the western provinces and was celebrated for his victories over Licinius in 324. His portrait coins, circulating alongside those of his father, underline his prominent dynastic status. His execution in 326, most likely on the emperor’s orders, brought an abrupt end to his coinage.

A few coins of Constantine II, the youngest son of Constantine, are also represented. Elevated to the rank of Caesar in 317, he began to issue his own series of nummi from about 323 onwards, likewise from Ticinum. The coexistence of coins of Constantine the Great, Crispus, and Constantine II indicates an emission and circulation window between c. A.D. 320 and 327.

Chronology

The VOT legends refer to vows undertaken by Constantine for his decennalia (VOT X, around A.D. 315–321) and vicennalia (VOT XX, around A.D. 325*).*

The combination of these types with coins of Crispus and Constantine II suggests a burial date between approximately A.D. 322 and 327. The group is representative of circulating bronze coinage from the transitional period between Constantine’s ten- and twenty-year jubilees.

Metal and Condition

The coins are struck in bronze with traces of original silvering, typical of early 4th-century nummi. Preservation ranges from Fine to Very Fine, with several specimens retaining clear traces of silver wash and sharp detail.

Interpretation

The assemblage forms a homogeneous group from a single mint within a narrow chronological range. The exclusive presence of Ticinum issues points to a select circulation batch, likely reaching Gaul via commercial or military routes from northern Italy.

It most probably represents a small savings hoard or temporary concealment buried shortly after A.D. 325. The inclusion of three members of the Constantinian dynasty underscores the political continuity and family propaganda of the period.