Der römische Denarfund von Deesen (Westerwaldkreis)

Abstract

During a metal detector survey in the vicinity of the village of Deesen on the German side of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes a hoard of 62 denarii (69-175) was discovered. This find was made in an area with no previous evidence for Roman or Germanic activity which would explain the presence of this hoard. The distribution of the coins suggests that wild animals had dragged around the corpse along with its clothes and purse, before eating it. This must have caused the coins to fall out of the purse. A link to an historic event can be ruled out. Instead the 62 denarii give testimony to an individual fate. The composition of this hoard is typical for such finds within the Roman Empire but not for the area beyond its frontier (Barbaricum).