Collection
Brief description
One of two gold tremisses (or gold coins) dating to the early medieval period, found in 2017 whilst metal detecting on farmland near Chipping Ongar. Classed as Treasure and subsequently valued by the British Museum and purchased by Epping Forest District Museum with external funding.
The coin is Merovingian, and probably from Tidiriciacum (identified by Belfort as Trizay-sur Lezay, and by Depeyrot as Thiré, both in the Vendée). The reverse inscription indicates a moneyer
named Witta (VVITA) in whose name coins with this mint signature have been recorded. Although
the obverse inscription is mostly illegible, the visible letters are consistent with a reading of
TIDIRIACO, as the mint name appears on other known coins of VVITA.
OBV: -------ICO;
profile bust (unclear), twin wreath ties
REV: VVГTAMON;
cross on steps
The reverse inscription contains a rendering of the name Witta, known from the mint Tidiriciacum; type unlisted in
Depeyrot and Belfort
Both of these coins are rare, and the discovery of early Anglo-Saxon and continental gold
tremisses together is of particular interest for understanding the nature of early gold economies in England and the circulation of foreign/domestic currency. In addition, coin 1 is possibly of a
previously unknown type for this mint/moneyer.
Information from Dr Thomas Williams (British Museum), 13 September 2018
Object number
EPPMS.2024.20.1
Object name
Early medieval gold tremissis or gold coin (one of two - see EPPMS.2024.20.2), c.585 – c.675
