Frequently asked questions

  1. What does “as”, “as issue” etc. mean?
  2. What do the “accuracy” codes mean?
  3. Why isn’t the XXX hoard included in the database?
  4. Why is the XXX hoard listed but there is no detailed data on its contents?
  5. Are you going to add more hoards to the database?
  6. Why is the XXX hoard listing from an old publication rather than the latest one?
  7. I know of a hoard publication that you do not seem to have. Are you interested?
  8. I have just catalogued a hoard which is not published yet. Can I add my data to the database?
  9. What are all these funny three letter codes used for hoards?
  1. What does “as”, “as issue” etc. mean?

Either because the coin is damaged, or because it was published some time ago, it is not always possible to identify coins accurately for inclusion in the database. In order to cope with this, nine accuracy codes are used, 1–9. The first four follow Richard Reece’s method for coin catalogues:

  1. This indicates a coin which can be confidently assigned to a standard catalogue reference. The listings just give the catalogue reference.

  2. This indicates a coin which cannot be confidently assigned to a catalogue reference and is shown in the listing by the word as. The first possible reference is used. For example, many anonymous denarii cannot be confidently assigned to an RRC reference from the publication and are therefore listed: As RRC 44/5.

  3. Indicates an ancient copy of a specific coin type and is listed using: Copy of RRC...

  4. Indicates an ancient copy which cannot be identified as a specific coin type. The first possible reference is used. This is indicated by: Copy as RRC...

In addition to Reece’s four levels of identification, the CHRR database uses a further five codes.

  1. Indicates a coin which can be identified to a specific RRC issue, but not to the exact coin within it. For example, coins of RRC 408 cannot often be identified from the publication to be specifically 408/1a or 408/1b. These are input to the database as RRC 408/1a with this accuracy code. The phrase used in the listing is: As issue RRC 408/1a.

  2. This code is used for coins which have been suggested to be exact copies of genuine coins made in Dacia. It is indicated by: (Possible Dacian copy).

  3. An extraneous coin. Shown in the listing as: (Extraneous).

  4. Many hoards in the database contain non-Roman issues which were beyond the scope of the original project. A series of generic coin types were created to cope with these, for example Miscellaneous Iberian denarius.

  5. Where the hoard publication only lists presence or absence (as is often the case with 19th century articles), this code is used. They are listed as: At least one of RRC ...

For the purposes of comparative analyses and dating, it is recommended that only coins with accuracy codes 1, 5 and 6 are included in your data.

  1. What do the “accuracy” codes mean?

See [1].

  1. Why isn’t the XXX hoard included in the database?

The database was constructed specifically for Kris Lockyear’s personal research and was never intended to be “complete.” Hoards were generally added if they were (a) big enough; (b) data was available as to the hoard’s contents and (c) if they came from a particular location or period from which more data was needed. Now that the database is being transformed from a personal research database to a more widely available resource database, we are aiming to add more hoards to the database in order to make the coverage more comprehensive. See [5].

  1. Why is the XXX hoard listed but there is no detailed data on its contents?

The database was constructed specifically for Kris Lockyear’s personal research and was never intended to be “complete.” Some hoards had basic information about the hoard added to the database, but never had more detailed information added. This could be because the publication was difficult, or the listing was incomplete or problematic, or simply that it comes from a period or place where sufficient data was available for Kris’ purposes already and this hoard was not prioritised. Now that the database is being transformed from a personal research database to a more widely available resource database, we are aiming to add more hoards to the database in order to make the coverage more comprehensive. See [5].

  1. Are you going to add more hoards to the database?

Yes. Kris Lockyear has been slowly adding more hoards to the database over 25 years. Kris will continue to enhance his personal research database which will then be uploaded to the CHRR Online system about once a year. Please keep an eye on the CHRR Online version number and last update data (shown here). If you would like a particular period or region targeted please contact Kris to discuss options.

  1. Why is the XXX hoard listing from an old publication rather than the latest one?

Hoards are published in many, sometimes quite obscure, places. Kris Lockyear would be very pleased to hear of any publications he has missed.

  1. I know of a hoard publication that you do not seem to have. Are you interested?

Yes! Please contact Kris Lockyear

  1. I have just catalogued a hoard which is not published yet. Can I add my data to the database?

We do not have a way of allowing you to add your data directly to the system, but you can contact Kris Lockyear who will be happy to collaborate with you.

  1. What are all these funny three letter codes used for hoards?

Each hoard has to have some way to be uniquely identified. The traditional method is to give the hoard a number, e.g., RRCH 480. The problem with number systems is that they go out of date quickly as new hoards are found. For the CHRR database each hoard is given a three letter code to identify it. Please use this code when referring to the hoard in any publications.