Anglo-Saxon Coins Unearthed in Rome Reveal Medieval Economic Ties
Archaeologists discover English silver coins in Rome, suggesting a special currency privilege for pilgrims.
1Discovery in the English Quarter
Archaeologists excavating the garden of the Palazzo della Rovere in Rome discovered twenty Anglo-Saxon silver coins. These artifacts were found alongside papal and Roman currency within the historic English quarter. The site, located near the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia, provides the first physical evidence of this medieval settlement.
2Coins from the Tenth Century
The recovered collection includes nineteen silver pennies and one halfpenny, mostly dating between 899 and 955. These coins bear the names of Edward the Elder, Æthelstan, and Eadred. Fourteen of the coins were found fused together in two separate lumps, having remained buried underground for over a thousand years in Rome.
3Evidence of Daily Transactions
The coins were scattered across five distinct spots, with the largest groups located in ancient rubbish pits. Researchers found no evidence of silver smelting or metalworking at the site, suggesting the coins were used for active trade. The presence of a halfpenny indicates frequent, low-value transactions within this vibrant urban area.
4Challenging Papal Currency Rules
Historical records typically state that only papal coins were accepted in medieval Rome. However, the discovery of these English coins suggests that foreign visitors may have been granted special privileges. Historians Rory Naismith and Francesca Tinti believe this currency usage was likely part of a broader exemption from local tolls.
5Alfred the Great's Influence
Alfred the Great sent alms to Rome in 883 and secured a promise from Pope Marinus I to exempt the English quarter from tribute. While no document explicitly confirms the right to use English currency, the concentration of these coins supports the theory that such a privilege existed during that era.
6Economic Flow from England
Surprisingly, more Anglo-Saxon coins from this specific period have been found in Rome than papal coins. This indicates a significant volume of money flowing from England to the city during the tenth century. These findings highlight the intensity of economic interaction between the two regions long before the Peter's Pence payments.
7Decline of English Currency
The use of English coins in Rome faded around the 970s, a shift that remains partially unexplained. Historians suggest this decline might coincide with the popes stopping their own local minting operations. The privilege likely depended on the popes actively maintaining a local money system, which eventually ceased to function as before.
8Future Archaeological Potential
The findings are detailed in a chapter of the conference proceedings titled Rome and the Others (300-1000). Researchers hope that future utility or construction work near the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia will reveal more. Until then, these coins remain the only physical trace of the elusive medieval English quarter.
Original article: Earth.com — Anglo-Saxon Coins Unearthed in Rome Reveal Medieval Economic Ties