The Silver Currency at Novae (Moesia Inferior) AD 193-253
The Silver Currency at Novae (Moesia Inferior) AD 193-253

Summary/Abstract: The present study is based on the material from Novae, the camp of legio I Italica. A total of more than 300 pieces belonging to five hoards and single finds are considered. The investigation results in the following conclusions: After the reform of Septimius Severus in AD 194, debased imperial denarii penetrated in Novae until AD 238, no doubt as financing for the troops. They were widely used on the local market side by side with the Roman provincial issues. During the same period huge local production of white bronze cast denarii is to be noticed. Most of the finds were located in or nearby the principia legionis, suggesting the involvement of the military in their output intended for the local market as well. The penetration of the denarii in Novae ceased by the very beginning of the rule of Gordian III (AD 238). Compromised both by the imperial issues of poor silver and the local imitations of white bronze, the silver currency of denarii had to be substituted by the antoniniani in a desperate attempt to avoid the financial crisis in the decades to come.

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