Details

COLEM:1984.73

Colchester Collections

coin, Gallic derivative, tremisses

This gold coin, a Burgundian Tremiss, was minted in France in around AD 575. It has a hidden indication of King Sigismund's name (S-I at the beginning and end of the reverse's legend)This coin is included in the Mythical Creatures exhibition as part of the dragon's hoard. According to some legends, dragons were known for hoarding treasure and they especially had a love of gold. This originated in early medieval stories. One account from the poem Beowulf describes the theft of a golden cup from a dragon’s hoard. The dragon, in anger at their treasure being stolen, destroyed the nearby town.

France

0565 - 0578

Anglo-Saxon

INIV.... PAVC DNIVSTINVSPPAVC ?..VICTOAIAAVCCI / ..IIO... = SVICTORIAAVCCI [?] / CONOB [?] = SVICTOAIAAVCCA / CNO? / CCCI (S-I=SI) ???

diameter: 14.00 mm
weight: 1.42 g