Matthew Ball
@matthewball.bsky.social
Curator: Iron Age and Roman coins for @findsorguk.bsky.social at the British Museum. All ill-informed opinions my own. Vice-President of the Royal Numismatic Society. Roman Britain, poking around medieval churches, gardening, and drawing.
Reposted by Matthew Ball
This Roman denarius of Septimius Severus shows the emperor in military attire on horseback. It proclaims 'the most auspicious return of the emperor' after having established peace in the east by the destruction of Pescennius Niger. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...
June 20, 2025 at 7:30 AM
This Roman denarius of Septimius Severus shows the emperor in military attire on horseback. It proclaims 'the most auspicious return of the emperor' after having established peace in the east by the destruction of Pescennius Niger. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...
Please share!
The Royal Numismatic Society is seeking two freelancers to work on its administration and archives. Both positions are part-time for one year, based in London. No archival qualifications or experience necessary.
Further details on our website: numismatics.org.uk/2025/06/16/r...
The Royal Numismatic Society is seeking two freelancers to work on its administration and archives. Both positions are part-time for one year, based in London. No archival qualifications or experience necessary.
Further details on our website: numismatics.org.uk/2025/06/16/r...
RNS seeks two freelancers for Administration and Archive projects
The Royal Numismatic Society, which is currently advertising two new freelancer opportunities: Administrator Archive assistant Both are to cover a one-year project to get our records and administr…
numismatics.org.uk
June 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Please share!
The Royal Numismatic Society is seeking two freelancers to work on its administration and archives. Both positions are part-time for one year, based in London. No archival qualifications or experience necessary.
Further details on our website: numismatics.org.uk/2025/06/16/r...
The Royal Numismatic Society is seeking two freelancers to work on its administration and archives. Both positions are part-time for one year, based in London. No archival qualifications or experience necessary.
Further details on our website: numismatics.org.uk/2025/06/16/r...
1,800 years ago, someone snipped the edge of this denarius, discovered it was just a silver-plated forgery, and then vented their rage on the poor coin itself by repeatedly hacking its surface. Recorded with @findsorguk.bsky.social this week: finds.org.uk/database/art... #FindsFriday #RomanBritain
June 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
1,800 years ago, someone snipped the edge of this denarius, discovered it was just a silver-plated forgery, and then vented their rage on the poor coin itself by repeatedly hacking its surface. Recorded with @findsorguk.bsky.social this week: finds.org.uk/database/art... #FindsFriday #RomanBritain
*Is* there a nicer flower than a lupin? ☀️
May 18, 2025 at 12:01 PM
*Is* there a nicer flower than a lupin? ☀️
One of the very few images of Amminus, an #IronAge ruler from the area of Kent, who might have been the person #Suetonius tells us fled across the Channel to seek aid from #Caligula c. AD 40. This is the first example recorded with @findsorguk.bsky.social #FindsFriday
finds.org.uk/database/art...
finds.org.uk/database/art...
May 9, 2025 at 12:21 PM
One of the very few images of Amminus, an #IronAge ruler from the area of Kent, who might have been the person #Suetonius tells us fled across the Channel to seek aid from #Caligula c. AD 40. This is the first example recorded with @findsorguk.bsky.social #FindsFriday
finds.org.uk/database/art...
finds.org.uk/database/art...
Carpets of English bluebells on the slopes of the Wrekin in #Shropshire.
May 3, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Carpets of English bluebells on the slopes of the Wrekin in #Shropshire.
A heap of radiates struck for Tetricus I (AD 271-274) at Trier, Germany. From the massive Frome hoard of c 54,000 other third century coins, now in the final stages of being sorted at the British Museum. @findsorguk.bsky.social #FindsFriday #RomanBritain
May 2, 2025 at 7:49 AM
A heap of radiates struck for Tetricus I (AD 271-274) at Trier, Germany. From the massive Frome hoard of c 54,000 other third century coins, now in the final stages of being sorted at the British Museum. @findsorguk.bsky.social #FindsFriday #RomanBritain
Reposted by Matthew Ball
#FindsFriday today with a lovely counterfeit Roman coin!
A copper-alloy cast contemporary copy of a Roman denarius of Diva Faustina I (AD 138-161), struck under Antoninus Pius, dating to the period c. AD 141-161
To see the full record, follow the link: finds.org.uk/database/art...
A copper-alloy cast contemporary copy of a Roman denarius of Diva Faustina I (AD 138-161), struck under Antoninus Pius, dating to the period c. AD 141-161
To see the full record, follow the link: finds.org.uk/database/art...
April 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
#FindsFriday today with a lovely counterfeit Roman coin!
A copper-alloy cast contemporary copy of a Roman denarius of Diva Faustina I (AD 138-161), struck under Antoninus Pius, dating to the period c. AD 141-161
To see the full record, follow the link: finds.org.uk/database/art...
A copper-alloy cast contemporary copy of a Roman denarius of Diva Faustina I (AD 138-161), struck under Antoninus Pius, dating to the period c. AD 141-161
To see the full record, follow the link: finds.org.uk/database/art...
Reposted by Matthew Ball
The Melsonby Hoard is one of the UK's most significant Iron Age finds & could rewrite what we know about the period. Help the Yorkshire Museum acquire & conserve the hoard, keeping it in a public collection. #FindsFriday #SaveTheMelsonbyHoard Donate today: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-the-m...
March 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The Melsonby Hoard is one of the UK's most significant Iron Age finds & could rewrite what we know about the period. Help the Yorkshire Museum acquire & conserve the hoard, keeping it in a public collection. #FindsFriday #SaveTheMelsonbyHoard Donate today: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-the-m...
Reposted by Matthew Ball
One of the most remarkable objects in #Pompeii is a marble table support with P. Casca Longus inscribed on it. Longus was the 1st assassin to stab Julius Caesar on the #IdesOfMarch (today in 44 BC). On his death Longus’ possessions were auctioned & this table was bought by a Pompeian
March 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
One of the most remarkable objects in #Pompeii is a marble table support with P. Casca Longus inscribed on it. Longus was the 1st assassin to stab Julius Caesar on the #IdesOfMarch (today in 44 BC). On his death Longus’ possessions were auctioned & this table was bought by a Pompeian
Reposted by Matthew Ball
This is the strongroom in the headquarters building of the Roman fort at Corbridge, just south of Hadrian's Wall. Corbridge was a base for the Second Legion Augusta and the money to pay the troops who garrisoned the Wall would have been stored down in this underground chamber #RomanFortThursday
March 13, 2025 at 8:44 AM
This is the strongroom in the headquarters building of the Roman fort at Corbridge, just south of Hadrian's Wall. Corbridge was a base for the Second Legion Augusta and the money to pay the troops who garrisoned the Wall would have been stored down in this underground chamber #RomanFortThursday
Reposted by Matthew Ball
"Killed by enemies inside the fort" says this tombstone of a father and son, Flavius Fuscinus and Flavius Romanus, who died at Ambleside, Cumbria #RomanFortThursday
Excavations show Ambleside was attacked at least once - did these men die in its defence?
📸Armitt Trust #archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
Excavations show Ambleside was attacked at least once - did these men die in its defence?
📸Armitt Trust #archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
March 6, 2025 at 8:02 AM
"Killed by enemies inside the fort" says this tombstone of a father and son, Flavius Fuscinus and Flavius Romanus, who died at Ambleside, Cumbria #RomanFortThursday
Excavations show Ambleside was attacked at least once - did these men die in its defence?
📸Armitt Trust #archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
Excavations show Ambleside was attacked at least once - did these men die in its defence?
📸Armitt Trust #archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
Reposted by Matthew Ball
National Trust membership for a family costs £14.05 a month. A Telegraph subscription costs £104 a month. And don’t get me started on the quality of the product.
National Trust raises fees to £3,000 for family life memberships
Charity squeezes an extra 25pc from members over three years
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
National Trust membership for a family costs £14.05 a month. A Telegraph subscription costs £104 a month. And don’t get me started on the quality of the product.
Reposted by Matthew Ball
Exceptional new discovery in
#Pompeii: large frescoed banquet hall with stunning wall paintings emerged
www.finestresullarte.info/en/archaeolo...
🏺 AncientBluesky #archaeology
#Pompeii: large frescoed banquet hall with stunning wall paintings emerged
www.finestresullarte.info/en/archaeolo...
🏺 AncientBluesky #archaeology
February 26, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Exceptional new discovery in
#Pompeii: large frescoed banquet hall with stunning wall paintings emerged
www.finestresullarte.info/en/archaeolo...
🏺 AncientBluesky #archaeology
#Pompeii: large frescoed banquet hall with stunning wall paintings emerged
www.finestresullarte.info/en/archaeolo...
🏺 AncientBluesky #archaeology
Reposted by Matthew Ball
#RomanSiteSaturday: A huge courtyard villa flourished at North Leigh, Oxfordshire, in the early C.4th. It's one of the largest discovered from #RomanBritain with 60 rooms, 11 hypocausts (channelled type), 16 mosaic floors and 3 bath suites.
#romanarchaeology
#romanarchaeology
February 22, 2025 at 9:53 AM
#RomanSiteSaturday: A huge courtyard villa flourished at North Leigh, Oxfordshire, in the early C.4th. It's one of the largest discovered from #RomanBritain with 60 rooms, 11 hypocausts (channelled type), 16 mosaic floors and 3 bath suites.
#romanarchaeology
#romanarchaeology
Reposted by Matthew Ball
The finds trays are working overtime at the Carlisle Roman Excavations this week. Here the destruction level is being removed to reveal the Hypocaust stacks. The site is open for visits except Sunday till the 1st March #HadriansWall #Archaeology
February 20, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The finds trays are working overtime at the Carlisle Roman Excavations this week. Here the destruction level is being removed to reveal the Hypocaust stacks. The site is open for visits except Sunday till the 1st March #HadriansWall #Archaeology
Reposted by Matthew Ball
a reminder that the Royal Numismatic Society runs a series of small grants for research and/or practice which deploys the outcomes of research in various areas of numismatics. The next deadline is 28th February - find out more and apply here: numismatics.org.uk/grants/
February 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM
a reminder that the Royal Numismatic Society runs a series of small grants for research and/or practice which deploys the outcomes of research in various areas of numismatics. The next deadline is 28th February - find out more and apply here: numismatics.org.uk/grants/
Reposted by Matthew Ball
High on a Northumberland hillside near the Roman fort of Bremenium and the ancient road we call Dere Street are the remains of a mausoleum. It is probably the finally resting place of a high-raking Roman soldier and a couple of its stones still feature enigmatic carvings #TombTuesday
February 18, 2025 at 9:49 AM
High on a Northumberland hillside near the Roman fort of Bremenium and the ancient road we call Dere Street are the remains of a mausoleum. It is probably the finally resting place of a high-raking Roman soldier and a couple of its stones still feature enigmatic carvings #TombTuesday
Reposted by Matthew Ball
One of my oldie reconstructions from 2014 of Rough Castle Roman Fort & Antonine Wall, near Falkirk in #Scotland. It shows the barracks, Principia, Horrea, and the Praetorium. The bath house is in the annexe, in the top-left corner. Commissioned Work. © Bob Marshall / Historic Environment Scotland.
February 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
One of my oldie reconstructions from 2014 of Rough Castle Roman Fort & Antonine Wall, near Falkirk in #Scotland. It shows the barracks, Principia, Horrea, and the Praetorium. The bath house is in the annexe, in the top-left corner. Commissioned Work. © Bob Marshall / Historic Environment Scotland.
Reposted by Matthew Ball
The mighty Maen Madoc, Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons #Powys
A Bronze Age menhir reused as a grave marker and inscribed in the late 5th or early 6th century AD with
DERVAC(IVS) FILIVS IVSTI (H)IC IACIT
Dervacus, Son of Justus. Lies here
📷 Aug 2020
#StandingStoneSunday 1/2
A Bronze Age menhir reused as a grave marker and inscribed in the late 5th or early 6th century AD with
DERVAC(IVS) FILIVS IVSTI (H)IC IACIT
Dervacus, Son of Justus. Lies here
📷 Aug 2020
#StandingStoneSunday 1/2
February 16, 2025 at 8:14 AM
The mighty Maen Madoc, Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons #Powys
A Bronze Age menhir reused as a grave marker and inscribed in the late 5th or early 6th century AD with
DERVAC(IVS) FILIVS IVSTI (H)IC IACIT
Dervacus, Son of Justus. Lies here
📷 Aug 2020
#StandingStoneSunday 1/2
A Bronze Age menhir reused as a grave marker and inscribed in the late 5th or early 6th century AD with
DERVAC(IVS) FILIVS IVSTI (H)IC IACIT
Dervacus, Son of Justus. Lies here
📷 Aug 2020
#StandingStoneSunday 1/2
HOW has it taken me this long to see the wonderful (and free!) exhibition of the Bloomberg finds? assets.bbhub.io/company/site... #romansitesaturday #romanbritain
February 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
HOW has it taken me this long to see the wonderful (and free!) exhibition of the Bloomberg finds? assets.bbhub.io/company/site... #romansitesaturday #romanbritain
Reposted by Matthew Ball
Today saw the launch of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (2023) and Treasure (2022) annual reports at the British Museum, highlighting record levels of finds submitted for voluntary recording to the PAS (over 70,000) and those reported (1,358) in 2023. Available here: finds.org.uk/publications
February 11, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Today saw the launch of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (2023) and Treasure (2022) annual reports at the British Museum, highlighting record levels of finds submitted for voluntary recording to the PAS (over 70,000) and those reported (1,358) in 2023. Available here: finds.org.uk/publications
I am glad that everyone has been posting about the #Superbowl: another word to add to my growing mute list of U.S.
-specific terms.
-specific terms.
February 9, 2025 at 10:33 PM
I am glad that everyone has been posting about the #Superbowl: another word to add to my growing mute list of U.S.
-specific terms.
-specific terms.
Love this republican denarius struck for Q. Metellus Pius c. 81 BC. Elephant on the reverse and what I want to believe is a diplodocus (and not a ?stork) on the obverse. Found in Cheshire and reported to @susieflo.bsky.social this week. Record: finds.org.uk/database/art... #FindsFriday #RomanBritain
February 7, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Love this republican denarius struck for Q. Metellus Pius c. 81 BC. Elephant on the reverse and what I want to believe is a diplodocus (and not a ?stork) on the obverse. Found in Cheshire and reported to @susieflo.bsky.social this week. Record: finds.org.uk/database/art... #FindsFriday #RomanBritain
Reposted by Matthew Ball
Scale armour from the Roman Fort at Carlisle (Luguvalium). The armour fragment was found in a building which used as a workshop; now part of the collections at Tullie House Museum in Carlisle. 📸 My own. #RomanFortThursday #RomanBritain #Archaeology
February 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Scale armour from the Roman Fort at Carlisle (Luguvalium). The armour fragment was found in a building which used as a workshop; now part of the collections at Tullie House Museum in Carlisle. 📸 My own. #RomanFortThursday #RomanBritain #Archaeology