Coin Hoards from Roman Dacia

Chapter 7 analyses the coin hoards from the province of Dacia, between the reigns of Trajan and Aurelian. The hoard data show that the denarii disappeared gradually from circulation after the middle of the third century AD, and that hoards ending before the middle of the third century contain mainly coins of a single metal: gold, silver, or bronze, with only a few hoards of mixed composition. After the middle of the third century, hoards mostly contain a single metal, but mixed denominations of denarii and antoniniani. Hoards entirely of bronze coins are rare. Hoards ending with coins of Gordian III and Philip I suggest variations in hoarding patterns by denomination according to context: ‘civilian’ hoards contain more denarii than antoniniani; and ‘military’ hoards, which were found at or very close to military sites, are dominated by antoniniani. The explanation may be that soldiers received their pay in antoniniani.