Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A possible mint dated to c.A.D.10. Associated were pieces of Belgic coin moulds,slag, coins, brooches as well as a large amount of early 1st century Belgic pottery fragments. 10 fragments of coin pellet moulds were found associated stratigraphically with a hearth. The copper alloy objects recovered included one corroded sheet of iron. The coins comprised eleven potin coins and three struck bronze coins, none of which seem likely to have been produced from the coin moulds.

Monument Types

• HEARTH (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
• Hoard (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 43 AD)
• MINT (Late Iron Age - 10 AD? to 42 AD (at some time))

Associated Finds

• COIN (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 150 BC? to 42 AD?)
• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 150 BC? to 42 AD?)
• SLAG (Late Iron Age - 100 BC? to 42 AD?)
• COIN MOULD (Late Iron Age - 10 AD? to 42 AD)
• METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Late Iron Age - 10 AD? to 42 AD?)

Full description

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[TQ 74276863] Excavations in 1961-2 at 50-54 High Street, Rochester, uncovered, beneath Clandian deposits, a possible mint dated to c.A.D.10. Associated were pieces of Belgic coin moulds,slag, coins, brooches, etc., and a gravel trackway and ditches. Tin money of both classes was found in some quantity. (1)

The site is waste ground soon to be redeveloped. A detailed report is to be published shortly by Mr. Chaplin. (2)

A considerable quantity of early 1st century Belgic pottery fragments, including pedestal urns, and at the bottom of this layer 10 fragments of coin pellet moulds associated stratigraphically with a hearth, fragements of slag and small peices of clay. In addition were recovered copper alloy objects, mainly coins, and one corroded sheet of iron. The coins comprised eleven potin coins and three struck bronze coins, none of which seem likely to have been produced from the coin moulds. There was no evidence of Belgic structures.(5)

Four trenches were dug in 1976 with the objective of completing the 1961-62 excavation. All of the north of the site had been destroyed by recent building work and the rest very disturbed by later cellars and cess pits.(7)

The coin pellet moulds were examined by the Ancient Monument Laboratory and returned in 1987 to Rochester Museum.(6)

Additional Info (3- 4)

<1> Chaplin, R.E., 1963, Report for 1962, Arch Cant 77 1962 Report for 1962 l-li (RE Chaplin) (Article in serial). SKE7958.

<2> Inf Mr AC Harrison Chairman Lower Medway Arch Research Group (OS Card Reference). SKE44332.

<3> F1 ASP 16.12.64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42132.

<4> Field report for monument TQ 76 NW 8 - December, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4077.

<5> Harrison, A. C., 1992, Excavation of a Belgic & Roman site 50 - 54 High St, Rochester, Excavation of a Belgic & Roman site 50 - 54 High St, Rochester p41 - 50 (Harrison, A. C.) (Article in serial). SKE7959.

<6> English Heritage and others, 1985, Examination and analysis of coin pellet moulds (Unpublished document). SKE6747.

<7> Harriosn, A. C., 1977, Archaeologia Cantiana 1976, Investigations & Excavations during the Year: Rochester p252 - 253 (Harrison, A. C.) (Article in serial). SKE7960.

Sources and further reading