Definition and Purpose
A coin hoard is a collection of valuable coins or coinage that has been intentionally buried or hidden. Coin hoards were often buried for various reasons, such as for safekeeping during times of unrest or as a form of wealth preservation. These hoards provide valuable insights into ancient societies, their economic activities, and the relative degree of unrest during specific time periods.
Key Facts
- Definition: A coin hoard is an archaeological term used to describe a collection of valuable coins or coinage that has been intentionally buried or hidden.
- Purpose: Coin hoards were often buried for various reasons, such as for safekeeping during times of unrest or as a form of wealth preservation.
- Discovery: Coin hoards are often discovered by metal detector hobbyists, members of the public, or archaeologists. Some hoards have been found centuries after they were buried.
- Types of hoards: There are different types of coin hoards, including founder’s hoards (containing broken or unfit metal objects), merchant’s hoards (collections of functional items buried by traveling merchants), personal hoards (collections of personal objects buried for safety), hoards of loot (collections of spoils from raiding), and votive hoards (deposits made for ritual purposes without intent to recover them).
- Historical significance: Coin hoards provide valuable insights into ancient societies, their economic activities, and the relative degree of unrest during specific time periods. They can also help in creating chronologies and dating artifacts.
Discovery and Types
Coin hoards are often discovered by metal detector hobbyists, members of the public, or archaeologists. Some hoards have been found centuries after they were buried. There are different types of coin hoards, including founder’s hoards (containing broken or unfit metal objects), merchant’s hoards (collections of functional items buried by traveling merchants), personal hoards (collections of personal objects buried for safety), hoards of loot (collections of spoils from raiding), and votive hoards (deposits made for ritual purposes without intent to recover them).
Historical Significance
Coin hoards have significant historical value. They can help in creating chronologies and dating artifacts. For example, the discovery of a coin hoard containing coins from different periods can provide information about the relative chronology of those periods. Additionally, coin hoards can shed light on economic activities and trade patterns. The composition of a coin hoard can indicate the types of coins that were in circulation at a particular time and place.
Examples of Famous Coin Hoards
- The Staffordshire HoardDiscovered in 2009, this hoard contained over 3,500 Anglo-Saxon gold and silver artifacts, including coins, jewelry, and religious objects.
- The Cuerdale HoardFound in 1840, this hoard contained over 8,000 Viking coins and other artifacts.
- The Hoxne HoardDiscovered in 1992, this hoard contained over 15,000 Roman coins, as well as gold and silver jewelry.
Conclusion
Coin hoards are valuable archaeological resources that provide insights into ancient societies and their economic activities. They can also help in creating chronologies and dating artifacts. The discovery of new coin hoards continues to shed light on the past and enrich our understanding of history.
References
- CoinHoards: http://coinhoards.org/
- Hoard – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoard
- Famous Hoards | Littleton Coin Company: https://www.littletoncoin.com/shop/Famous-Hoards
FAQs
What is a coin hoard?
A coin hoard is an archaeological term used to describe a collection of valuable coins or coinage that has been intentionally buried or hidden.
Why were coin hoards buried?
Coin hoards were often buried for various reasons, such as for safekeeping during times of unrest or as a form of wealth preservation.
How are coin hoards discovered?
Coin hoards are often discovered by metal detector hobbyists, members of the public, or archaeologists.
What types of coin hoards are there?
There are different types of coin hoards, including founder’s hoards (containing broken or unfit metal objects), merchant’s hoards (collections of functional items buried by traveling merchants), personal hoards (collections of personal objects buried for safety), hoards of loot (collections of spoils from raiding), and votive hoards (deposits made for ritual purposes without intent to recover them).
What is the historical significance of coin hoards?
Coin hoards provide valuable insights into ancient societies, their economic activities, and the relative degree of unrest during specific time periods. They can also help in creating chronologies and dating artifacts.
What are some examples of famous coin hoards?
Some examples of famous coin hoards include the Staffordshire Hoard, the Cuerdale Hoard, and the Hoxne Hoard.
How can coin hoards help us understand the past?
Coin hoards can help us understand the past by providing information about economic activities, trade patterns, and the relative chronology of different periods.
Why is it important to preserve coin hoards?
Coin hoards are important archaeological resources that provide valuable insights into the past. Preserving them ensures that they can be studied and enjoyed by future generations.