On a Coin found in Grass Wood

Abstract

Extract from Vol. II. page 831. Records of Roman History on Roman Coins, by Francis Hobler. “Constantinopolis.— 3rd Brass of Constantinus Magnus. Obv. A female head with laureate and crested helmet to the left, bust in armour; over the shoulder the staff of a spear is projecting. Rev. No legend. In the exergum T.R.P. A victory standing on the prow of a galley, to the left, with a spear in the right hand; her left hand rests on a shield.” ADDITIONAL REMARKS BY WILLIAM FENNELL. The female head represents Rome. The condition is unusually perfect, and the refinement of the features very striking. The presence of the laurel crown encircling the helmet is so uncommon, that while observing many hundred coins of the Constantine period, I have not come across one. Constantine the Great was born A.D. 274, died 337. T. R. P. means, coined at Treves. Treveris percussum. Treveris being the Roman name of Treves. This coin was probably minted after the seat of government was removed from Rome to Byzantium (330 A.D.), and the idea of representing Rome by a female head was continued, by representing Constantinople in the same way. NOTE BY ERNEST E. SPEIGHT, B.A. This coin was found in August, 1895, by Mr. William Hill and James Birch, at the root of a shrub taken from the centre of an enclosure near the Park Stile, Grass Wood. The exact spot was the highest enclosure on the N. side of the pathway which leads from the ...