NEWS
The 2025 programme is now complete and listed below. The only date awaiting confirmation from a speaker is September.
Its our sad news to report the passing of our long time member and friend Tony Holmes. A full obituary will appear in our next edition of Caesaromagus but in the meantime we pass on our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Please note that links to many Numismatic Contacts including dealers auctioneers etc have just been added to our ‘Links to other Societies’ page found by clicking the three bar icon at the top of the page. Many have been supportive of the Society in the past.
Please look up our ‘Essex Numismatic Society’ ‘Facebook’ Page and check us out. Join in the discussion
NEXT MEETING
Friday 25th April starting at 8pm. We will hold our AGM followed by our annual exhibition for the HVH Everitt Trophy and voting for the Caesaromagus Cup. All welcome.
We will have our usual Raffle.
Essex Numismatic Society Meetings
Meetings are held on the 4th Friday of every month at Christ’s Church URC 164 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0AW. . Doors open at 7:30 for 8pm start. A member of staff on duty to admit anyone who is late. So please arrive in good time.
The Braintree Hoard was found near Braintree Essex in the Summer of 2019 by two metal detectorists. It was processed under the terms of the Treasure Act and presents us with an intriguing archive of to the coinage of the period.
Colchester Museum and The Fitzwilliam Museum purchased 16 coins including two 11th Century Byzantine Coins from the Hoard.
The remainder was disclaimed and returned to the finders.
The Braintree hoard will now be offered for sale by Noonans on 21st February 2024.
The hoard has a number of coins of Edward the Confessor and a significant number of coins from the reign of Harold II.
Post sale Report
The Braintree Hoard was sold for a total of £325,560 Hammer price. There were a number of highlights in the sale with prices very keen throughout. In the Edward Confessor coins offered three coins were worth mention. Lot 1009 of Ipswich with AElfwine moneyer achieved £1100 against an estimate of £400-£500. Lot 1018 of Sudbury with Folcwine moneyer acheived £1600 against an estimate of £300-£400. Lot 1020 Thetford with Asturr (+AZARA) acheived £1200 against an estimate of £300-£400.
The Harold II Pennies all sold well but the star was Lot 1045 Hastings with Dunning moneyer. This coin sold for £26000 against an estimate of £5000-£6000.
Noonans are to be commended for their extremely well written and illustrated catalogue.
The Colkirk Roman Hoard
There was a recent sale of Siliqua found by our good friend Mike Cuddeford in Norfolk now referred to as the Colkirk hoard. Mike gave a talk to the Essex Numismatic Society about the hoard, referred to then as the Fakenham Hoard This initial group of Siliqua were offered for sale on 5th December 2023 by Noonans from Lot 117 to Lot 168.
The group offered spanned the reigns of Julian II (360-363) through to Arcadius (383-408) No coins of Honorius (384-423) were offered in this first part but were present in the hoard as were coins from the reign of Constantius II.
In total the hoard comprised of 430 coins. The reigns of Arcadius and Honorius were represented most with 80 and 73 coins respectively. There were 44 listed as uncertain. Interestingly 46 coins were of Magnus Maximus who held high command under Gratian in Britain. A number of the coins, identified or otherwise, were broken or fragments.
This writer acquired 5 coins from this first part auctioned. Three of them illustrated here.
The first illustration is the only intact and extremely rare Flavius Victor Siliqua of ROMA enthroned from the Treveri (Trier) Mint
The second illustration is a Siliqua of Eugenius also with ROMA minted in Milan
The third illustration is a Siliqua of Magnus Maximus, with ROMA and minted in Milan.
It has certainly been interesting to hear of Mike’s involvement with the hoard and the eventual outcome to the sale, He was very excited about the outcome (Lot 137) Siliqua of Theodosius I with a rare reverse of PERPETVTAS Phoenix on Globe TRPS Treveri (Trier) mint. which hammered for £3400.
RM Barrett
Caesaromagus back copies. Please use the link ‘About the Society and Museum‘ to see further information on back numbers and where complete runs of the Essex Numismatic Society Journal are held.
Programme for 2025
| January 24th | Exchange & Mart | Bring your unwanted coins, tokens, books etc. All welcome |
| February 28th | 58th Anniversary and 19th Ivan Buck Memorial Lecture. | Joe Bispham. 'An introduction to the coins of Stephen & The Prestwick Hoard' (Normal meeting to be preceded by a Committee Meeting at 6.30pm) |
| March 28th | Roger Barrett | 'The Langtoft Hoard' from the Keith Cullum Collection |
| April 25h | AGM plus Annual Exhibition for the HVH Everitt Trophy and voting for the Caesaromagus cup. | Voting ballot papers will be sent before the meeting together with the 2024 minutes and 2025 agenda. |
| May 23rd | Karen Till | 'Some more Essex Finds' |
| June 27th | Society Quiz | For the Tony Holmes Memorial Quiz Cup |
| July 25th | Denis Martin | 'A Whimsy' Coins and Medals. (Normal meeting preceded by a Committee meeting at 6.30pm) |
| August 22nd | Members Short Talks. Everyone welcome | Speakers (TBC) |
| September 26th | Speaker (TBC) | |
| October 24th | Annual Auction | Viewing to commence from 7.30pm Vendors please arrive at 7pm |
| November 28th | Alex Bliss | The Sizewell C coin hoard of the 1040's Meeting preceded by a Committee Meeting at 6.30pm) |
| December | Christmas social | A social evening, Date (TBC) |
Buying, selling or swapping of coins between members guests and visitors is encouraged at meetings, but dealing shall not take place during the formal part of the meeting.
Officers and Committee
President: Charlie Geddes
Chairman: G.Warboys
Hon. Secretary: R.M.Barrett 01279 814216 (Leave a message on the answer machine if no reply) email:- info@essexcoins.org.uk
Hon. Treasurer: R.Hudson
Webmaster: R.M.Barrett
Committee: K.Till K Towe
Editor of Caesaromagus: M Cuddeford
Hon Life Members: A.J.Holmes, Mrs A.Cullum, Mrs P.Buck, M.Cuddeford, R.I.Thomas, Mrs J.Seaman, R.M.Barrett J Bispham.
Collecting interests of the members are wide ranging and include:-
- Ancient Coins
- Roman Coins
- Hammered Coins
- Modern Coins
- Foreign Coins
- Tokens of all types
- Tickets, Passes and Checks
- Medals
- Banknotes
- Bank and Credit cards
There is no need to be an expert to join the Society, on the contrary, newcomers and those just interested in finding out more are very welcome.
Annual Membership £15. Guests and Visitors £2.