86 



Coins found near Marlborough. 



business and traffic of such a colony. Moreover they were of little 

 value to the Briton, who in all probability was too glad to regain 

 possession of the soil of his native country to care much for small 

 copper money of the Romans, whom he detested, and whose deserted 

 town he evidently did not inhabit. Unfortunately history tells us 

 little or nothing of the manner of the departure of the Romans. 

 But there can be no doubt that fire and the sword followed close on 

 their retreating footsteps. It is not easy to realise the gradual 

 transformation of a burnt and abandoned town into a ploughed field 

 famed for its fertility — yet how many instances must there have 

 been of such changes in this country. Even in this neighbourhood 

 there are several other examples. In a large wood at Great Bedwyn, 

 the Brails, may be seen a Roman pavement, another in the middle 

 of a field at Folly, and in front of Lord Ailesbury's house at Saver- 

 nake, one was shewn us this morning. 



The dates of the Roman coins range from about the time of 

 Augustus to that of Honorius and Arcadius (four hundred years). 

 One or two still earlier consular coins have been brought to me, 

 but, as might be expected, they are but very rarely found. Those 

 in greatest quantities are from the time of Gallienus to that of 

 the sons of Constantine. Those of the usurpers Carausius and 

 Allectus, which are usually somewhat rare, are not at all un- 

 common. Very lately a fine gold coin of Valens was turned up in 

 excellent preservation. But it is an unusual occurrence now to 

 find anything but copper, and those of the smaller sizes. An extra 

 deep ploughing is, however, sure to be succeeded by an increased find 

 of coins, and it is astonishing how quickly the eyes of the plough- 

 boys discover the most minute coins or fragments of them as they 

 guide their teams along the furrow. 



Occasionally a British coin gladdens the eye of the collector, easily 

 distinguished from its Roman companions by its peculiar concave 

 or dished appearance. A year or two ago two or three were brought 

 to me, found near the same spot ; only one, however, was of an in- 

 scribed type ; it is a copper coin of Cunobeline, a British prince, son of 

 Tasciovanus, of about the time of Julius CaBsar, struck at Colchester, 

 as the letters cam — for Camelodunum — attested; another was an 



