Find Spot record MDO2667 - Roman coin hoard found between Bridport and Eype, Symondsbury

Numbers of Roman coins found on the shore between Bridport and Eyre 1936-37. 65 were identified and are in the possession of Miss Hutchinson of Burton Bradstock:- 1 Otacilia Severa, 1 Trebonianus Gallus, 2 Volusian, 14 Gallienus, 3 Salonina, 14 Postumus, 9 Victorinus, 2 Claudius II, 1 Tetricus I, 3 Illegible Radiates, 1 Helena, 1 Crispus, 1 Urbs Roma, 1 Constantius or Constans, 1 Valentinian I, 2 Valentinian or Valens, 56 of these are Antoniniani and presumably from a hoard.

The nine others are brass and presumably come from a neighbouring site. [Area between SY44909098 & SY 46189032] <1>

[SY 45809049] <2.1> The coins were purchased from a friend of my former gardener Mr E. Hussey. The coins were found by the late Mr C. Warren, a fisherman, at the base of the cliffs after a fall had taken place about half way between the end of the esplanade [SY 45929046] and BLACK ROCK [SY 45659050] and all within a small area. A few of the coins were not obtained by Miss Hutchinson. Found on the same day. c.1936-7. <2.2>

A selection of the coins in Miss Hutchinson's possession were examined and agree with the description of T.1. Some are in a fairly good state of preservation. Mr Hussey is aged but appeared quite definite in his statements, and it would appear probably that the coins formed a hoard. The coins other than Miss Hutchinsons were not traced. The area of the find was perambulated. Cliff falls are evident. There were no further finds. <2>

Captain AWJ Cobham found coins of the mid-C3rd at the base of the cliffs after a freak tide washed the shingle off the underlying clay. This was below the IA burial (SY 49 SE 18, at approx. SY 4555 9060). This find may be connected with the coins described (in Author. 1) and helps to pin-point the location of that hoard. A late C1st Wheeler type IV. <4>

<1> Robertson, A S, 1937, Roman Coins found on the Beach between Bridport and Eype, Dorset, 47-49 (Article in serial). SWX1306.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1938, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1937, 47-49 (Serial). SDO40.

<2> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F1 GCS 23-SEP-54 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<2.1> Hutchinson, E P, Oral: Miss E P Hutchinson, The Studio, Burton Bradstock, 23.9.54 (Verbal communication). SWX1307.

<2.2> Hussey, E, 1954, Oral: Mr E. Hussey Burton Bradstock 23.9.54, 23.9.54 (Verbal communication). SWX1308.

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1956, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1954, 93 (Serial). SDO54.

<4> Farrar, R A H (Compiler), 1959, Archaeological Notes and News for 1959: Miscellaneous Discoveries and Accessions. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 106 (Article in serial). SWX1285.

<5> Le Pard, G, 1995-2003, Dorset Coast Forum Maritime Archaeological Database, Single Find 37 (Digital archive). SWX8707.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450112 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2024 4:33PM