Descoperiri monetare în aşezările rurale medievale de la Borniş, jud. Neamţ (secolele XV-XVII) (I)

Abstract

The numismatic finds of Borniş „Silişte” consist in 23 pieces, which are isolated finds (Moldavia – 1 pc., Poland – 8 pcs., Hungary – 3 pcs., Sweden – 4 pcs., Ottoman Empire – 1pc., Romania – 1 pc.) as well as a small „hoard” (Sweden – 5 ex.). Most of the coins were uncovered during the archaeological excavation in the medieval site, mainly inside houses, with well-defined archaeological contexts. Only two pieces were random finds. The range of dates of issue is very wide, of more than two centuries. However, most of the dates of issue are within the last decades of the 16th and most of the 17th century. The chronological limits could frame the habitation of most of houses within the settlement of Borniş „Silişte”. The most recent coins are the ones of the „pocket hoard”, uncovered in feature (house) No. 4. The occupation of the site ends in the last years of the 17th century and the core of the village moves to an adjacent area. The total nominal value of the uncovered coins is relatively small (with the exception of two Leeuwendaalders), but the large number of small denominations uncovered indicates the frequent use of metallic means of payment and the connection of the settlement to the monetary circuits of the time.

Keywords: coins, medieval village, Moldavia, 15th–17th centuries.