Dr Amelia Dowler

My photo shows the so-called ‘Trier Gold Treasure’ in a museum display case. It is a Roman coin hoard made up of some 2,650 gold aurei. The small round gold coins are spread randomly in a dense pile across a light-coloured display case surface. To the upper right of the coin mound is the broken bowl-shaped bottom of the original copper alloy vessel that held the hoard. The metal is coloured green with corrosion. Several gold coins are scattered inside the bowl. In the lower left corner of the display case is another large, irregular fragment of the original container. Museum information label: In 1993, a bronze vessel with 2650 Roman gold coins (aurei) is discovered in Trier. It is the largest Roman gold coin treasure ever found. The Aureus was in the 1st and 2nd Century the standard coin of the Roman gold minting with an average weight of 7.27 g, with a very high fineness of approx. 980/1000. The coins depict 29 different emperors, empresses or relatives of the imperial house. The oldest coins were minted between 63 and 64 AD, the youngest between 193 and 196 AD. The coins were inside the vessel, which was accidentally discovered by an excavator, rolled up in leather bags. The bags were decorated with leather straps and closed enamel seal capsules. The treasure revealed numerous secrets in its scientific processing: it probably did not represent private assets, but a state treasury that was carefully managed and over a longer period of time and enlarged. During a civil war, the gold coins were finally buried in a cellar in 196 AD and then fell into oblivion. Presumably the former administrator of the treasury took his knowledge of the hiding place with him to the grave.

The Trier Gold Hoard!

The largest #Roman gold coin hoard ever found!

More than 2,650 Roman aurei, weighing 18.5 kg, were discovered inside a bronze vessel wrapped in leather bags, during construction work in 1993. The coins date from 63 AD to 196 AD.

Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier 📷 by me

A poster shows a photo of a small brown hedgehog just beneath the blades of a strimmer. Text reads: Strimmer Warning. Every year many hedgehogs are seriously injured or killed by cutting machinery in the garden. Please check grass and hedges before using mowers, strimmers or hedge cutters. A hedgehog's natural defense is to roll into a ball rather than run. Their spines are no match for a strimmer.

Please #sharetomakeaware 💚

I hope everything grows well! 🌱

If it wasn’t pastel could it have been a stray bit of tailor’s chalk?

Congratulations on your new role!

Obverse side of a bronze coloured tetradrachm coin with the bust of Roman Emperor Probus, facing to the right. He crowned with a laurel wreath. Dated to 278 CE.

Reverse side of a bronze coloured tetradrachm coin with a standing eagle facing to the right with wings arrayed.

I have been busy photographing #Roman coins minted in Alexandria, #Egypt in the collection @romtoronto.bsky.social This one of Probus is dated to 278 CE. I like the standing eagle on the reverse. Browse the whole series online here: collections.rom.on.ca/search/910.2...
#MuseumWork #Numismatics

These gold coins were found on the Mary Rose, but they don't contain as much gold as you might think!

Instead, they were debased, or mixed with cheaper metals such as silver and copper, so Henry VIII would have more gold to fund his expensive wars.

For #FindsFriday Scandinavian imitations of Frankish deniers, found at Castricum in Noord-Holland, for a chapter in a book ed. by @ccooijmans.bsky.social. One copies a coin of Louis the Pious, one Lothar I: we know #vikings were settled in this area. Find report at
www.academia.edu/43960277/2020

Put them in a bowl of hot water (not over the rim of the glass but around) to slightly melt the outside of the wax and pop the wax out when loose. You can then use as glasses or melt wax properly and refill with a new wick

Excellent - we get them occasionally here. I was really hoping for the robin I usually see but not today!

I hope they spot lots of birds!

There’s still time to do the #BigGardenBirdwatch today! Spend an hour with a cup of tea looking out the window…

Here’s my list!

Sparrow: 6
Blue tit: 3
Starling: 2
Magpie: 2
Wood pigeon: 1
Goldfinch: 1

A Robin is perched on a weathered wooden surface, its bright orange-red breast puffed up and beak wide open in full song. The blurred background creates a soft gradient of earthy tones, making the Robin stand out. With its legs firmly planted and feathers fluffed, it looks as if it’s passionately delivering an important message to the world.

"Everybody - wake up! It's the #BigGardenBirdwatch!"

Will you be taking part today? 👀🌳

"Recognising and addressing long-standing issues impacting the lives of inspectors is vital for the success of the new framework introduced by Ofsted." - @fdagensec.bsky.social

The cover of the FDA union report Beyond the Framework: The people behind inspections

Our new research reveals Ofsted’s inspection system is straining the very people who make it work: His Majesty’s Inspectors.

The public value their role, but conditions need urgent reform. Read the full report: www.fda.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Have you read the ICS January Newsletter? Learn more about upcoming events, recent publications and awards, and funding opportunities.
mailchi.mp/sas/ics-news...

Sign up to receive future editions: mailchi.mp/sas/ics-news...

Are you a working mother-to-be or new parent?
Learn more about your #rights at work during #pregnancy, #maternityleave & return to work in this must read info sheet maternityaction.org.uk/advice/pregnant-at-work.

#MaternityPay #MaternityRights #UKemplaw #StatutoryMaternityPay #MaternityAllowance

Join us this Saturday and be among the first to explore our new exhibition, The Art of Deception. ✨🔎

The Art of Deception reveals the hidden world of forged scientific instruments, showing how fake artefacts have fooled collectors and experts from the Middle Ages to today.

A Bluesky challenge!

We've got so many great heritage/GLAM accounts here now, that some are flying under the radar

From national organisations to niche collections, these active accounts are all (at time of posting) under 500 followers-lowest at 9-how many can we get over 500?

go.bsky.app/U16Nwsw

Finally, the WCC UK is on Bluesky! Lots of exciting updates in the next few months, so do give us a follow @womeninclassicsuk.bsky.social

Free Book Launch: 'To Hear the Trees Speak' by Olivia Sprinkel Join us for the online launch of the paperback edition of 'To Hear the Trees Speak'.

My friend Olivia’s book “To Hear the Trees Speak” is out in paperback soon! The Tariki Trust is hosting a book launch on 11th Feb (online) and it’s free to register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-book-... 🌳

The hoard laid out for display.

The first objects of the Storr Rock Viking Hoard were found on the shore near the Skye landmark #OTD in 1891. The hoard comprised 108 coins and 23 pieces of hacksilver. It was probably deposited in the mid-10thC by a Scandinavian trader or settler. 📸National Museums Scotland #medievalsky

This massive silver pound (120 grams) that was issued by King Charles I in 1644 is the heaviest circulating coin ever minted in the British Isles. Here it is alongside a modern £1 of Charles III. From the Hunterian collection.

The cool find of two stater-like gold coins in Switzerland leads today's A Whole Lot of History newsletter! 📰

The coins, based on Philip II of Macedon's, demonstrate the influence of the Hellenistic world on Iron-Age Celtic central Europe, both in terms of coined money and numismatic design 🪙

Become a member of our ANNUAL BOOK CLUB and receive 10 new #poetry books as they are published across 2026.

Introductory offer, just £79.99 including postage.

Find out more about our list and sign-up now for the best kind of post 📚
ninearchespress.com/shop#!/Poetr...

Broad bean seedlings in a long allotment bed alongside feathery fennel plants

A close up of a single broad bean seedling - it has a wealth of healthy looking leaves already.

And I took the opportunity to check on my over-wintering broad beans! They have almost all germinated and are looking healthy. I always find them a sign of hope for a good year ahead! 🌱

A bag on a kitchen worksurface - there are a muddy selection of leeks, sprouts, parsnips, celeriac and radishes falling out of it.

Happy Christmas Eve! We’ve been veg gathering for tomorrow at our #allotment - still good supplies of leeks, parsnips, celeriac, and winter radishes. The sprouts have been minimal this year but we’ll have some at least!

'Contingency plan' as Ofsted notes software glitches again Inspectors adjusting to new framework will have to follow 'alternative processes' in January

“Inspectors must have the right tools to do the job. We will be pressing management to deliver a long-term solution.” - FDA National Officer Matt Newman
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-enact...

This medal was issued in 1912 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the gold standard in Japan. It depicts the 20, 10 & 5 yen coins that were introduced as part of the switch the gold standard. It’s one of the very few Japanese medals in the Hunterian collection.

A selection of veg drying on a rack. There are green cabbages, leeks, mooli, winter radish, celeriac and parsnips

Good thought! I’ve got more savoys to use up as well - we’ve had loads this year!