Roman Hoard in an Oil Lamp

November 2024

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I acquired this supposed (see below) cache of Gallic Empire coins, found in an encrusted oil lamp, maybe ten years ago. I packed it away knowing the coins looked like Postumus era pieces. Finding it again and taking a closer look, all of the coins are Victorinus (16) or Tetricus I (7). So all 23 coins fall between 268 - 273 AD. I think most hoards fall within a rather narrow time frame, but it would seem to me that five years is very narrow and the area of use of these was not Empire wide. There are some unknowns concerning the mint but Vienna is probably at the top of the list, with Cologne another possibility. The reverse varieties run the full spectrum of those listed in the references, so that's a nice plus but all have some verdigris.
I've been told this is a Byzantine style lamp but the coins inside would tend to indicate otherwise. Underneath the loose crusted exterior dirt you can clearly see soot around the wick hole.

For a brief History of the Gallic Empire in the Moneta Library:
VIEW & DOWNLOAD: Gallic Empire by Percy Webb at this: [ link ]