Proc Soc Antiq ScotA L A142TE (2012), ROMA 133–144N OBJECT FROM COVE, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY, REDISCOVERED | 133 A late Roman object from Cove, Dumfries and Galloway, rediscovered Robert Janiszewski* ABSTRACT An intriguing gold object with Latin inscriptions was found in the 18th century, in Cove, Dumfries and Galloway. Currently lost, it survived in a few antiquarian accounts. In this paper, in the light of these written sources and parallel examples, the author will try to discuss its function, possible time of import and the character of its deposition. INTRODUCTION A GOLD OBJECT FROM COVE, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY For many years archaeologists have been looking for finds, not only in the field, but A gold penannular object with Latin inscrip- also within libraries and archives. Old written tions found in the 18th century in Cove, sources, such as chronicles, diaries or travel Dumfries and Galloway (NY27SE 14), merits accounts, occasionally contained information such a reassessment. The object (Canmore about accidental discoveries of ancient ID 67113), currently lost, survives in a few monuments and portable artefacts. Such antiquarian records (illus 1)1 which so far have information is often only partially credible not been compared with each other.2 for modern researchers. Generally speaking The source which has been quoted the most in these accounts, while the interpretation of frequently is an account written by Pennant, the finds usually turned out to be incorrect, included in his Tour in Scotland: their physical descriptions, measurements and drawings were more precise. Near this place [ie Ecclefechan], on the estate of Mr Modern scholars often return to the old Irvine, writer, was found an antiquity whose use is written sources, interpreting them in the light rather doubtful: the metal is gold, the length rather of our current knowledge. Such reassessments more than seven and a half inches, the weight 2 oz can lead to the identification of objects and a half and 15 gs. It is round and very slender otherwise lacking a provenance, or restore in the middle, at each end grows thicker, and of a conoid form, terminating with the flat circular artefacts to the scholarly world even though plate: on the side of one end are stamped the words they have been lost. One of the recent examples Helenus fecit, on the other is prick’d. •••III MB. of such research in Britain is the identification From the slenderness of the middle part, and the of a uniface medallion of Constantine II Caesar, thickness of the ends, it might perhaps serve as now in the collection of the National Museum a fastening of a garment, by inserting it through in Edinburgh, as a find from Birrens, mentioned holes on each side, and then twisting together this in an antiquarian account (Bland 2012: 7 no 3). pliant metal. (Pennant 1776: 104) * ul. T. Pełczyńskiego 32c Apt 33, 01-471 Warsaw, Poland 134 | SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND, 2012 Illus 1 Cove artefact (Pococke 1773: Pl III, Fig 4) The second source, contemporary with Pennant’s the owner of the object, J Davidson Jr, addressed account, is a note written by Pococke: to Dr T Birch – antiquarian and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. It may be proper just to mention a piece of gold The original letter, dated 27 March 1755, did (plate III. Fig. 4) found not many years since in not survive, but in the Society’s Minute Book Scotland, in a moss, about eighteen inches under ground, on the estate of Mr Ervin, of Cove, near there is a note, probably copied directly from Ecclefechan, in the shire of Dumfries, (. .) On that letter, from which we can learn that: one end is plainly seen the world HELENVS, in 1. This Peice [sic] of Gold weighs 2 ow: [sic] raised Roman capitals, evidently effected by a 8 drams 12 grains. 2. It was lately found in the stamp; and on the other end, in pricked or dotted Estate of Mr. Irvine of Cove in the County of characters, the letters M. B. It is of pure gold, very Dumfries, near Ecclefechan, in a moss about soft and pliable. It is in the possession of Mr. John 18 Inches below the Surface. 3. HELENVSF. is Davison, Jr., of Edinburgh, who communicated it stampt upon it, and the Letters are very distinct to the Society, by Dr. Birch. (Pococke 1773: 41). and raised, and the mark of the Stamp is distinctly Regardless of minor differences between the two seen. The Marks at the other End . III M B are dotted or pricked on, and are also very distinct, accounts, undoubtedly both of them describe the altho [sic] the Form of the Last letter represented same artefact. Pennant’s account, besides brief on the Figure, and in this note, is not so very exact, information concerning the general location of yet it approaches nearly to that of a B.3 the findspot and the interpretation of the possible function of the object, also contained information Having reviewed all available sources, we can on its weight and size. Pococke’s note proceed with the description of the specimen and complements the previous article, containing not with the compilation of the information included only additional, more detailed description of the in the quoted accounts. The entry from the findspot and circumstances of its discovery, but Minute Book clearly indicates that the discovery also a drawing of the object. The compilation of took place sometime before March 1755. It both entries gives us information on the shape, might be presumed that the object was made of weight and size of the specimen. The drawing a bar of gold with curved, conical terminals and of the object, attached to Pococke’s account, a wide opening between them. One of the ends allows us to verify the meaning of the graffiti was furnished with a stamp HELENVSF(ECIT), and to find similar artefacts. Additionally, his indicating its manufacturer’s name, while the note indicates the probable primary source for dots on the other end clearly formed symbols both accounts which was the correspondence of indicating a weight of 3 Roman ounces – III A LATE ROMAN OBJECT FROM COVE, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY, REDISCOVERED | 135 followed by the initials MB. Only Pennant’s in the CIL and RIB volumes.4 Both publications account provides the information about the size misspelled the name of the location, where the of the object (7½ inches which equals 190.5mm), object was found, and both identified the find the other two contain the drawing. as a gold handle. It is noteworthy that the RIB’s The question of the specimen’s weight note differed in a few important points from is more complex and requires more detailed the information contained in the antiquarian analysis. Apart from the information from the sources, which for a long time has remained inscription, the specimen’s weight is mentioned unnoticed. The most important one concerned in the two accounts, but unfortunately neither of the object’s weight, which was recorded as them contains any direct indication of the weight 57.67g, equivalent to 2 ounces. Only recently has system in which the measurements were taken. the author’s research revealed this, and on the In 18th-century Britain, a few systems were in basis of this observation, Tomlin has corrected use to measure the weight of various goods. the RIB’s record, in which he interpreted the They all shared the same smallest unit – the object as a penannular arm-ring with its hoop grain, but differed as to the weight of all other length of 191mm and weight of 71.84g (Tomlin units. The Troy system, where a pound is divided 2011: 460). into 12 ounces, was used for weighing precious metals. In this system, an ounce is 480 grains, which is approximately equal to 31.10g, and a COMPARATIVE STUDY drachm unit is not used at all. However, in the Apothecaries’ system, used in pharmacy only, an The image and physical description of the ounce, equal to its Troy equivalent, is divided artefact, which can be retrieved from Pococke’s into 8 drachms. The Avoirdupois system, where drawing and the measurements verified in a pound is divided into 16 ounces, was used Tomlin’s corrective note, help us to find parallel for weighing common goods. In this system an examples. Despite the fact that the actual object ounce is 437.5 grains, which is approximately is not available for examination, these records 28.35g, and is divided into 16 drachms. are precise enough to make it a valuable research As the object was made of gold, the form resource. The stamp and the inscription with of the weight information in Pennant’s account weight information undoubtedly indicate a (2.5 ounces and 15 grains) could suggest that the specimen connected to the Roman world. It measurement was taken using the Troy system. allows us to search for comparanda within the If this was the case, the weight of the object group of objects of Roman origin. (c 78g) would have been very close to the weight The closest analogy is a fragment of a suggested by the graffiti (3 Roman ounces, gold object from a scattered hoard which also which equals 81.35g). However, the record from included a solid gold necklace and at least 15 the Minute Book (2 oz, 8 Drams and 12 grains) gold coins. It was found in Boltinggård Skov, undoubtedly indicates that the weight was on Funen, in Denmark (illus 2).5 It is dated by expressed in the Avoirdupois system, because associated coins to the time soon after ad 336.