A PURSE OF LATE ROMAN COINS IN TECDE, MALATYA

This article discusses a hoard of five solidi and two tremisses unearthed during a construction project for the former Zirai Araştırma İstasyonu Müdürlüğü in 1985. These coins, which are now being exhibited in the Museum of Malatya, were minted between 424 - 468 CE by the eastern Roman emperors in Constantinopolis. Ancient Melitene was one of the prominent cities on the eastern frontier of Rome, with an increased importance in the medieval times. This growing affluence can also be observed by the various rural settlements dispersed around the surrounding plain of Malatya. However, the finding spot could not provide any other archaeological information save the Hoard of Tecde. Although 5th century CE solidus hoards are common throughout the Empire, Turkey is not well represented in that pool. There are only three hoards dated to the period in subject from Turkey. Hopefully, this small group of coins, which were discovered in an unknown ancient settlement until 1985 will be a path for the further studies related with the region’s history and economics.