Should you have questions which are not covered in this guidance please contact the Coin Hoards of the Roman Empire team.
To search for specific terms in the guidance use Control+F (or Cmd+F for Mac users) in your browser.
CONTENTS:
- Login
- To View Hoard Data
- Adding a New Hoard
- Downloading Data
- Coin Description Guidance
LOGIN
In order to see all the hoards or to edit or to add new ones, you must first login. Otherwise you will see only those hoards already validated by contributor (and so visible to the public) and you will not be able to edit. Once logged in you will only be able to enter or update existing records for countries for which you have permission.
TO VIEW HOARD DATA
Click on the ‘Hoards’ tab found at the top left hand side of the page. Or click here
This will display a ‘Search’ page with tabs allowing you to chose ‘Map Results’, ‘List Results’, and ‘Table of Results’.
The adjacent 'Advanced search' tab allows searches in any combination of available fields using Boolean logic (AND/OR, is equal, is not equal, is null, is not null etc.).
If you click on ‘Map Results’, having entered search criteria, the distribution of all returned hoards will be displayed. You can zoom in and out of this map using the + and – tool on the left (or place the cursor on the map and use mouse scroll) and toggle between ‘Terrain’, ‘Modern day’, ‘Imperium’ (Ancient World mapping) and ‘Satellite’ by clicking on the stacked icon on the right. Results can be de-clustered by unchecking the tick box ‘Cluster Results’ at the bottom left.
If you click on ‘List Results’, all hoards data (as defined by any search criteria you have entered) to which you have access will be displayed. You will not necessarily be able to edit all the data that you can view. If you press the search button without entering any data it will display hoards in the order of most recently edited.
You can reorder the search results according to various criteria by selecting the ‘Sort By’ button at the top of the returned hoards.
To view a hoard, click on the hoard name (usually in capitals). Only fields with data will be displayed. Where the total number of coins in a hoard is unknown, this is displayed as 0.
ADDING A NEW HOARD
Before adding a new hoard, always search the database to make sure that a record does not already exist. Frequently, hoards are given different names, their findspots possess different spellings or there are very small variations in the total number of coins/denominations etc..
Our definition of a hoard is given under the description of the Project. As a general rule, CHRE is collecting data on all coin assemblages that were originally published as hoards. If contributors consider such a designation to be unlikely they should record this in the summary field and consider classifying the data type of the 'hoard' as a 'group of single finds'. Votive deposits should not be included, unless it is clear that the coins were deposited in a single group. If there is a case to include other finds (perhaps on a regional basis) in the web app, please discuss this with the Coin Hoards of the Roman Empire team.
If you do not know the full name of the hoard, or how to spell it, search using a sequence of letters included in the name. If you know only the old/alternative name, type that in and you will be redirected to the modern name of the hoard or, in case of multiple possibilities, you will receive the list of hoards including the alternative name.
If you are certain that the hoard you wish to enter does not exist, click the ‘Hoards’ tab at the top left of the page. Click ‘Add a new Hoard’ on the right hand side.
It is best to fill in all the fields you can. If a field is left blank your hoard will not appear in searches of that field.
You must fill in the findspot name, country, and credit before you can save the hoard.
When you stop adding data to a hoard or have finished press the ‘Update’ button in order to save what you have entered. If you try to leave the page you will get a warning message.
HOARD BOX
Data type:
Hoard: any group of coin finds which has been classified as a hoard.
Hoard?: any group of coin finds which may be a hoard, but where some doubt has been raised e.g. A grave group or a dispersed hoard mixed with site finds.
Group of single finds: coins found in close proximity to each other which, on the basis of circumstances of discovery or of archaeological context, are likely to have been deposited or lost at the same time but which do not constitute a hoard under the generally accepted meaning. Use of this category should be kept to a minimum.
- Single gold coin: This is self-explanatory. Where possible, the project is collecting data on single gold coins as they may represent stores of value in the same way as hoards.
Date of discovery (from and to):
Add as much information as you have in day, month, year format. If you have a single date (or only a year) of discovery, enter this in the ‘from’ box rather than the ‘to’ box. If you do not have any information, leave these fields blank.
Summary:
This is a free text field where you can summarise the contents of the hoard, its context etc. The text will appear in the summary for each hoard when you do a search, so include relevant information but try to keep it as brief as possible. For example:
The hoard comprised a ceramic jug containing 1,500 denarii from Antoninus Pius to Severus Alexander. It was discovered in a pit under the floor surface of a room within the barrack block in the south eastern corner of the legionary fortress at York.
You may find it helpful to define the closing date of the hoard more precisely here, for example: ‘…to Hadrian (AD 134-138)’. Always comment in the summary in the rare event that the terminus post quem for the hoard rests on the archaeological context or associated containers or objects, rather than on the coins.
Validated by contributor:
This tick box should be checked when you have added all the data you have. It signals to other users that a record has been finished and checked at the level at which it is being entered (even if coin level data still remains to be entered). It is vital that you check this box when you have completed your record, otherwise your hoard will not appear in public searches.
LOCATION BOX
Findspot name: Enter the name of the hoard in UPPER CASE as given in the publication. If the hoard has multiple names, choose the name which is most commonly used. If the hoard has a name that does not immediately identify the site eg. ‘AE2’ please enter the site name followed by this name. E.g. KARANIS AE2. This will enable searches on site names to be done more effectively. Please do not use Roman numerals to label a different hoard from the same findspot. Initially the year of discovery should be added to the hoard name. If multiple hoards come from the same site in the same year, please add an Arabic numeral to distinguish each.
Alternative names: Enter any alternative names or spellings of names for the hoard. This can be in lower-case letters. Separate each name with a semi-colon. For example the Beaurains hoard is sometimes also known as the Arras Hoard, and the Reka Devnia Hoard has numerous different spellings.
Address: If the hoard publication gives a specific address for the findspot, enter this here e.g. 123 rue de Rivoli.
City: Add the village, town, or city name nearest to where the hoard was found.
County: Add the county, if known or if appropriate.
Region: Add the region, if known or if appropriate. If, for example, a hoard comes from ‘Sicily’, ‘Sicily’ would be entered in the region box. The distinction between ‘county’ (an English term) and ‘regions’ should be consistent within countries. By way of example, for Switzerland, the official administrative entity (canton) should go under region, as should ‘Länder’ for Germany. For France, there are regions (e.g. Grand Est), but départements (e.g. Haut-Rhin) as well (the latter can be entered under county).
Country: Choose the relevant country from a dropdown list here. Every country needed should be present, but do let us know if something is missing. Where appropriate, two countries may be entered for contested territories (e.g. Israel and Palestinian territories). The hoard will then appear in searches for either territory. When entering hoards from the United Kingdom it is only necessary to enter the constituent country (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). United Kingdom will be added automatically when you create the hoard.
Roman Province: We have added this field to the database, as it would be useful to be able to search coin hoards by province rather than modern country. We are working on a system so that provinces can be entered automatically from the location and date. Until the system is implemented, it will not be possible to enter data in this field.
Latitude, longitude, altitude: If you have entered sufficient data regarding the findspot of your hoard, you will be able to click on the tab ‘Look up Lat/Lng/Alt’ and these fields will be filled in automatically with the findspot rendered on a map. PLEASE CHECK that the findspot is in the correct position as many place-names can be found in multiple countries (e.g. Lancaster, US and UK and Luxor, US and Egypt). Take particular care when the same place name occurs more than once in the same country: the system will choose one automatically without alerting you that there is more than one possibility. Some place names may not be recognised. In this case, or in order to be extremely accurate, latitude and longitude can be copied and pasted from other location providers (e.g. Google Maps, MapsMe, IGO navigator etc.).
If OpenStreetMap does not recognise the place name of your hoard or you enter a country only, the Look-up facility may locate the findspot at the central geographical point of the country in which the hoard is found. For hoards with uncertain locations do not use the Look up tab or enter Lat/Lang in any other way. This will avoid distorting distribution maps by locating all of them at central points. Such hoards will still be found when searching by country but will not be mapped. In such cases it is best to enter “Precise findspot not known” in the “comment” field. This will then appear for the viewer under Find spot comment.
You can fine tune your findspot, if you know the specific location, by clicking, dragging and dropping the icon on the map. Toggling to modern street view mapping or aerial photography may be useful in such cases.
Location detail: This is a dropdown field which describes the accuracy of the findspot in more detail. Although there are various options available, you are most likely to use ‘Centred on village/city’ and ‘Centred on field’. ‘Centred on village/city’ should be used where you know the name of the village/city but have no further information about the findspot. ‘Centred on field’ should be used where you know the approximate findspot of a hoard within a field/street/particular area of a city. When you use the Look-up button and you are happy with the location provided, as you have no further information, choose “Generated from computer mapping”.
Comment: This is a free text field to add further information about the findspot. For example, many publications give the field name of a hoard, or a vague description of location ‘near the old bridge’; ‘on the property of M. LeClerc’ which may add extra information. Occasionally, there is confusion over the findspot, with more than one location given in different publications. You can note this here.
Hide location: Tick this box to hide the geographical location of the hoard. Please use this only in cases where such information is sensitive.
ONCE YOU HAVE FILLED IN THE HOARD AND LOCATION BOXES, YOU MUST SCROLL DOWN AND SAVE YOUR HOARD BEFORE ADDING DATA ON ANY OTHER TABS. TO SAVE YOUR HOARD, CLICK THE GREEN ‘CREATE’ BUTTON.
YOU CAN THEN RETURN TO EDITING THE HOARD BY CLICKING ‘EDIT THIS HOARD’.
You can now enter further information about your hoard through a series of tabs: Details, Coins Summary, Coins, Ratings, Archaeological Context, Containers, Objects, References, Images, and Credit.
Details tab
This tab gives you an opportunity to enter more information about your hoard.
Discovery method: choose the most appropriate option from the dropdown menu. Choose ‘Unknown’ if you do not have any information about the circumstances of discovery.
Discovery depth: Add in the format of metres, so 23cm = 0.23. Leave this blank if you do not have the information.
Land use: choose the most appropriate option from the dropdown menu.
Owner(s): if the hoard is in a specific museum or collection (or in several) add this information here. Separate each owner with a semi-colon. If the owner and current location are different both can be entered here.
Finder: If known, add the finder details here, even if an archaeological team or organisation.
Comment: This is a free text box, which you can use to elaborate on the fields above. For example, if a hoard was found ‘by pigs foraging in the woods’ or ‘by workmen extracting marble in a quarry’ you could enter this information here.
Closing reign (earliest): Choose the earliest closing reign for the hoard. There is a dropdown option to choose ‘Republic’ if the hoard is solely Republican, although this should not occur frequently. When there is no information on the latest coins you can select ‘Uncertain’. This field obviously cannot be filled in for Iron Age coinages.
Terminal year (earliest): Add the earliest terminal year for the hoard. If the terminal year is BC, precede the date with a -. Eg. 32 BC = -32. Do not add BC or AD to the date. If the terminal year is a single year, add it here and in terminal year (latest). This is VERY important as it affects search results done on terminal years.
It is possible to autogenerate the terminal years with a button above ‘closing reign’.
Only use this option if the starting date and the ending date have been entered for the latest coins in the hoard. Autogenerating the terminal years before this has been done will result in inaccurate data.
Closing reign (latest): add the latest date of the closing reign for the hoard here. When there is no information on the latest coins you can select ‘Uncertain’.
Terminal year (latest): if there is a range of years given for the terminal year of the hoard, for example an emperor’s reign or a particular issue covering several years, please enter the later of the two years here.
Opening year (earliest): Please enter the earliest possible date of the earliest coin in the hoard here. This information can be important when the information about a hoard is very incomplete.
Opening year (latest): if there is a range of years given for the earliest coin in the hoard, please enter the latest possible date for the earliest coin here.
Enter at coin level?: Please check this box if the data exists to enter the hoard at the level of the coin, even if at present you intend to enter only summary level data. As the first phase of the project is concentrating on entering hoard summaries, an indication of whether coin level data exists for a particular hoard will become very important in the second phase of the project.
Hide what?: If your data is sensitive, you may wish to hide data for the time being. This dropdown field offers you the opportunity to hide coin level data, coin summary data, or all data regarding a particular hoard.
Please do not hide all data without first consulting a member of the project team. The aspiration of the project is to make all data available freely online to all. Data can be entered but kept hidden where there is good reason - for example where the publication of a hoard is underway or a precise location cannot be revealed for reasons of archaeological sensitivity. Data may also be hidden by a student for a short period (typically until they complete their degree) while they want to research the data they are entering. We obviously prefer data not to be hidden at all. If data is hidden for such a reason this should be done only at the coin-level and only where absolutely necessary and only by mutual agreement with the project team.
Hide from: This dropdown field allows you to specify from whom you wish to hide your data, whether this be public access users to the database, fellow collaborators or everyone. The option ‘none’ is the preferred option although the default option is ‘public’. Please make sure you have selected the option ‘none’ unless you intend to hide data and do not hide data unless you really need to.
Coins Summary tab
This tab is populated with data automatically when you add coin records. It provides a summary of all coin data added. You cannot edit here – editing can be done only under the ‘Coins’ tab or the ‘Edit coins’ tab.
Coins tab
If multiple coins are entered within the same entry they should share the same person, reign, mint and denomination.
Period: This drop down menu describes the chronology and type of each coin and includes ‘Greek’, ‘Celtic’, ‘Republican’, ‘Imperial’, ‘Provincial’ and ‘Byzantine’. If you feel any other options are missing please let the central team know.
Person: This refers to the person in whose name the coin was issued and relates to the obverse only. For example: Julia Domna, under Septimius Severus. Often the ‘person’ and ‘reign’ will be the same. It is possible to enter a person according to status as Caesar or Augustus. The various categories of 'Uncertain' person should be used only in cases where there should be a person entry (typically to denote a portrait), but the person cannot be specified, as the coin is too worn, the person is not mentioned in the publication, etc. An ‘Uncertain’ person entry should not be used in cases where there never was a person, for example a hellenistic civic coin without a portrait, in which case the field should be left blank.
Roman Republican magistrates are available in the drop down list. We do not currently record magistrates systematically for hellenistic or Roman Provincial coins. If you wish to record the name of a magistrate for such coins, for example because it is important for chronology to do so, you can enter Magistrate under 'Coin additional fields' and then add the name and any further details in the comment field there.
Persons must be entered for Roman imperial coins otherwise the OCRE Autocomplete will not work. The choice of Persons is constrained in the drop down menu if a Reign has already been entered. If you have entered a Reign correctly but the Person you require is not available in the drop-down menu, please contact the CHRE team, who will create the combination for you. This may particularly be the case with combinations found on Roman provincial coins which are not present on imperial coins.
A key to the scheme in use can be found in the Reign-Person-OCRE autocomplete under Lists. This is mostly intuitive. Please note that:
Divus and Restitutio types have their own ‘Persons’ For example:
- Vespasian (Divus)
- Germanicus (Restitutio), Caecilius Metellus, M. (Restitutio)
- Consecratio types under Trajan Decius should be entered as Divus, e.g. for DIVO NERVAE Person = Nerva (Divus)
For VRBS ROMA and CONSTANTINOPOLIS use Urbs Roma and Constantinopolis as Persons. For other non-imperial obverses use ‘Anonymous’ as Person.
For 4th century coins where the reverse type indicates a date but the obverse person cannot be determined, the person may be entered as ‘Uncertain (Imperial)’.
Reign: This is a dropdown list and refers to the reign in which the coin was issued. For example: Julia Domna under Septimius Severus. Please note that if there are several possibilities for reign, you can add more than one. Eg. Antoninus Pius; Marcus Aurelius would indicate that the reign was either that of Antoninus Pius OR Marcus Aurelius. 'Uncertain' should be used as a reign only in cases where there should be a reign entry, but the reign cannot be specified from the coin, as the coin is too worn, the reign is not mentioned in the publication, etc. An ‘Uncertain’ reign entry should not be used in cases where there never was a reign, in which case the field should be left blank. There should, for example, be no reign entry for Roman Republican coins or Hellenistic civic coins without portraits.
Reigns must also be entered for Roman Imperial coins otherwise the OCRE Autocomplete will not work. The choice of Reign is constrained in the drop down menu if a Person has already been entered.
A key to the scheme in use can be found in the Reign-Person-OCRE autocomplete under Lists. This is mostly intuitive. Please note that:
Anonymous and Restitutio coins of AD 68-9: Reign = Civil wars of 68-69
Lucius Verus, Lucilla: Reign = Marcus Aurelius
Joint Reigns are used as follows: Balbinus and Pupienus, Gordian I and II, Valerian I and Gallienus, Macrianus and Quietus, Aurelian and Vabalathus
DIVO CLAVDIO coins, person = Claudius II (Divus): Reign may be entered as either Quintillus or Aurelian
Gallic Empire: Where the emperor is uncertain (and only then) you should enter 'Gallic Empire' as the reign and under Person enter either: (1) both Victorinus and Tetricus, which will appear as Victorinus or Tetricus when you update, OR (2) Uncertain (Imperial) - if it is a Gallic emperor, but not certainly either Tetricus or Victorinus.
RIC VI: Reign = Tetrarchy, except for Maxentius where Reign = Maxentius
RIC VII - VIII:
RIC VII (only): Helena (Augusta), Urbs Roma, Constantinopolis: Reign = Constantine I
RIC VIII (only): Constantine I (Divus), Helena (Augusta), Theodora, Urbs Roma, Constantinopolis: Reign = House of Constantine
RIC VII-IX: In general Reign is determined dynastically, not by the location of the mint. So, for example:
- Constantine I is always the reign for Constantine I (Augustus), Constantine II (Caesar), Constantius I Chlorus (Divus) etc.
- Licinius I is always the reign for Licinius I (Augustus), Licinius II (Caesar)
- Valens is always the reign for Valens (Augustus)
- Valentinian I is always the reign for Valentinian I (Augustus)
RIC IX (only): Arcadius (Augustus), Honorius (Augustus): Reign = Theodosius I.
RIC X: Reigns are divided between West and East, as in RIC. So, for example:
- Honorius for the West, Arcadius for the East
- Valentinian III for the West; Theodosius II for the East
RIC X: note the use of Burgundians or Franks, Suevi, Visigoths, and Non-imperial African as Reigns, as appropriate.
For 4th century coins where the reverse type indicates a date but the obverse person cannot be determined, the Reign may be entered as House of Constantine, or House of Valentinian, or House of Theodosius, as appropriate.
If you have entered a Person correctly but the Reign you require is not available in the drop-down menu, please contact the CHRE team, who will create the combination for you. This may particularly be the case with combinations found on Roman provincial coins which are not present on imperial coins.
For Roman Provincial pseudo-autonomous coins, please enter a coin as follows:
Period: Provincial.
Person: Anonymous.
Reign: only complete this if the reign is certain, because the coin is dated, or it has a magistrate's name shared with coins with a portrait, etc. You may also enter several reigns, which are construed as alternatives, in cases where a pseudo-autonomous coin certainly belongs to one or the other.
Starting date and Ending date: enter the dates as accurately as you can. For example, for a coin dated only to the second century AD enter Starting date 100, Ending date 200.
Obverse description: enter the appropriate description here, e.g. Head of Demos, right. Where possible, descriptions can be cut and pasted from RPC Online.
Mint: This is a dropdown list and refers to the mint where the coin was struck. At present, this is not fully comprehensive, although most Provincial Mints have been added. Please let us know if and when you discover a missing mint. Please note that mints frequently have different spellings. We are keeping where possible to the spellings given in RPC or similar reference works. ‘Eastern Mint’ refers to a Roman or Roman Provincial coi’. When the mint is unknown or for an imitation, please, select 'Uncertain'.
Denomination: This is a dropdown list and refers to the denomination of a coin in a hoard. Please note that for fourth century bronze denominations, we use ‘nummus’ as opposed to ‘follis’ or ‘AE1 to AE4’ or centenionalis, or maiorina, or their halves. We do not use AE1, AE2, AE3, or AE4 as they are not denominations but ranges of size, and searches on diameters have to work numerically. Please enter the diameters of such coins and their types, where possible, in the relevant fields. If you wish to record the terms AE1, 2, 3, 4, as they are used in the original publication, these terms can be entered as text in the Summary field under the hoard or in the Comment field under each coin.
If the denominational composition is not clear, there are options to choose ‘AV’, ‘AR’ etc. However, you can also select more than one denomination option. For example, ‘denarius’; ‘antoninianus (radiate)’ would denote a coin which was either a denarius OR an antoninianus/radiate. For how to enter barbarous radiates see below.
Quantity: if you are adding a summary for a hoard, rather than entering a record at the level of the individual coin, please add the number of coins of this person, reign, mint and denomination. Where the number is presented as a range, add the larger of the two numbers. E.g. Between 200 and 250 denarii of Vespasian would become ‘250’ but remember to add a comment in your summary noting that there is some uncertainty about totals.
If the number of coins is not known, but there were certainly some present, give the quantity as ‘0’. Do not leave the quantity field blank.
Quick add coin: When you have filled in all the above fields, click on the Quick Add coin button to add a coin to the database. It will then appear as part of the list of coins below. To fill out the details for an individual coin, you can then click ‘edit’ found to the right of each coin entry or you can continue to add coin summary details, remembering to click ‘Quick Add’ after you have completed each one.
You can clear all the entries in fields by clicking the ‘Reset Form’ button, or by manually removing individual entries from each field.
Adding coin level data: to enter supplementary information on each coin, click the ‘edit’ button next to each coin summary record. This will take you to the detailed ‘Coin edit’ page. Clicking ‘Add coin and edit’ will avoid this stage and take you straight to the edit page for the new coin. Alternatively you can edit multiple coins under the Edit Coins tab.
IMPORTANT TIP: It is possible to autocomplete coins via OCRE instead of manually filling all fields.
Disaggregate coins: when updating an existing hoard with coin level data this button breaks down the existing record of multiple coins into the relevant number of individual records. It may then be best to edit the newly-separated coins in the Edit Coins tab, although they can also be edited as individual records.
Period, person, reign, denomination and mint: These should all have been filled in (where possible) when summary data was added.
Starting date: This is the earliest date this individual coin could be given. If starting date and ending date are the same year, both fields must be completed. We do not use ‘Reece periods’ as they are not always appropriate for all parts of the Empire and searches on dates have to work numerically. If coins have been published using Reece periods, and more accurate dates cannot be provided, you can enter the start date of the relevant Reece period here.
Ending date: This is the latest date this individual coin could be given. We do not use ‘Reece periods’ as they are not always appropriate for all parts of the Empire and searches on dates have to work numerically. If coins have been published using Reece periods, and more accurate dates cannot be provided, you can enter the end date of the relevant Reece period here.
Date text: Comment here if the date is uncertain or approximate or otherwise requires further comment. For example, if a civic era appears on a coin enter it here.
Issue: Enter the issue number as a numerical value if appropriate.
Officina: Enter the officina number or symbol if appropriate.
Obverse inscription: Use ‘V’ rather than ‘U’ for inscriptions. For example: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. If you are entering Greek text, click the keyboard icon to access Greek capitals.
Obverse mintmark: If you are entering Greek text, click the keyboard icon to access Greek capitals. If the mintmark symbol does not exist on the keyboard, write as a word, e.g. palm, leaf, etc.
Obverse description: Enter description as given in Online Coins of the Roman Empire. For other coinages follow the relevant digital reference, where possible. Write descriptions in full. Do not use any abbreviations (l., r. stg. etc.). For all types of coin please follow the general principles described here.
Reverse inscription: Again use ‘V’ rather than ‘U’ for inscriptions. If you are entering Greek text, click the keyboard icon to access Greek capitals.
Reverse mintmark: If you are entering Greek text, click the keyboard icon to access Greek capitals. If the mintmark symbol does not exist on the keyboard, write as a word. Eg. Palm, leaf, etc. The mintmark should be entered in the format -/-//-, where the first (-) represents the left field; the second (-) the right field and the third (-) the exergue. When more than one mark is in a field they should be written starting with the upper one.
Reverse description: Enter description as given in Online Coins of the Roman Empire. For other coinages follow the relevant digital reference, where possible. Write descriptions in full. Do not use any abbreviations (l., r. stg. etc.). For all types of coin please follow the general principles described here.
Quantity: This should already have been filled in when summary data was added. It refers to the number of coins of this type. When entering data at the level of the coin, create a separate record for each coin using the disaggregate button so that weights etc. can be entered.
Weight (g): Please add the weight in grams for the individual coin here.
Diameter: Please add the diameter in mm for the individual coin here. Late Roman imperial bronzes are conventionally classified as AE 1 = over 25 mm, AE 2 = 21-25 mm, AE 3 = 17-21 mm, and AE 4 = under 17 mm. Where coins have been published as AE 1, 2, 3, 4 without individual diameters, we suggest using a typical diameter for these classes or for the relevant types with a note in the summary (hoard) or comment (coin) field about what has been done.
Axis: Please add the die axis as hours of the clock (1-12, numerals only) if this information is available.
Condition: Please choose a condition description from the dropdown list if this information is available. CHRE uses the description of condition of coins created by the Swiss Inventory of Coin Finds. For helpful example images of different conditions of coins corresponding to the five condition states click here.
Container: This field allows you to link an individual coin to the container in which it was found. This cannot be done until you have filled in information in the ‘Container’ tab. If you have multiple coins to connect to multiple containers, it is perhaps worth adding data to the container tab before adding coins.
Layer: If the internal stratigraphy of the hoard has been recorded, you can link your individual coin to a particular layer as described in the Context tab.
Comment: This is a free text field where you can add anything you consider to be relevant about this particular coin which cannot be described in other fields.
Imitation: This is a check box. Check if your coin is any form of imitation, including, but not restricted to, Claudian copies, barbarous radiates, barbarous nummi, plated denarii, etc. For how to enter barbarous radiates see here.
Latest coin: If this coin is the latest coin in the hoard, please check this box.
Intruder: If there is a possibility that this coin is an intruder, particularly if the publication of the hoard suggests it might be, please check this box.
To check: If you feel that further work is needed to establish an accurate description for an individual coin record, then check this box. For example, if the publication suggests that the coins are something that they cannot be, eg. ‘denarii of Constantine I’ or similar.
Aspects: This field allows you to add further information about the coin you are describing. This includes, but is not restricted to, individual treatments of coins. If a coin is entered as plated here please also tick the ‘Imitation’ box. ‘Imitation’ will then appear before the denomination in the Coins Summary and Coins tabs, as, for example, ‘imitation denarius’.
Coin Additional fields: This enables you to create a range of additional fields to describe your coin. These include: Countermark (obverse); Countermark (reverse); Magistrate; Metal analysis; Undertype (obverse); Undertype (reverse).
Coin References: This refers to the standard reference work (RRC, RIC, Cunetio, RPC etc) where this type is recorded. You should select ‘Standard work’ for RIC etc. and then choose the appropriate reference work from the dropdown menu below. RIC volume numbers are not recorded as this can be computed, but it is vital to record which edition of a standard work you are using, e.g. RIC (2nd ed.), Cohen (2nd ed.). For RPC references please include the relevant volume number in this field. If the coin is not present in the standard work please mark this with a short dash (RIC -). Coins that are variants of existing numbers should be recorded in the following format: RIC 485 var. For coins where multiple references in the same work are possible record as: RIC 5 or 7. In this case, as well as for variants, the Autocomplete via OCRE should not be used.
Autocomplete from this site: this tab is found below the reference field. If a coin with the same standard reference has already been described in the database autocomplete will fill certain fields for you automatically, e.g. obverse and reverse inscriptions and descriptions. This works well for RRC coins. For RIC coins it is important to use the Autocomplete via OCRE button instead, as this will include any recent corrections made to OCRE and will import the OCRE URI too. This function saves a lot of time when entering data at the coin level and also helps to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Autocomplete via OCRE
This function greatly improves both the speed and accuracy of data entry at the coin level. The autocomplete button is visible only when a RIC reference has been entered. The function is available either for individual coins when editing a coin or for all coins in a hoard under the Edit Coins tab.
For the OCRE autocomplete to work you must enter Person, Reign, and RIC number, and, for RIC vols VI-IX and some issues in vol X, also the mint. Having completed the required fields scroll down to ‘Coin references’, select ‘Standard work’ from the dropdown menu, then RIC or RIC (2nd ed.). In the page(s) and number(s) field fill in the RIC number then click ‘Autocomplete via Ocre’.
The OCRE autocomplete imports the following fields from Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE):
- obverse and reverse inscriptions and descriptions, starting date, ending date, OCRE URI (as a hyperlink under Reference)
We do not allow the automatic import of other fields as some, for example Mint, may be incorrect in RIC/OCRE, and others, such as Reverse mint mark, may be imprecise in RIC/OCRE. The hyperlink to the full type description in OCRE will help you to look up more details about the type should you want to enter them manually.
RIC (2nd ed.) must be used for volumes I and II.
IMPORTANT: We do not enter RIC volume numbers so the autocomplete computes which volume you want from the Person and Reign. It is therefore critical that you enter these in the exact manner required, otherwise you may get the wrong volume and hence the wrong data (as some Persons occur in more than one volume or in the same volume under different Reigns). Please follow the guidance under Person and Reign.
Where an RIC number covers more than one denomination you will either be given a choice or prompted to enter a denomination and try again.
Page(s) and number(s): For standard references, like RIC or Cohen, enter only the number and not volume number or page.
This specimen?: Check this box if the coin recorded is the example specimen in the reference work. This is particularly appropriate for Provincial coinage.
Comments: This is a free text field where you can add further information regarding the coin. For example, if the coin is a variant on a RIC number, or appears to be unique, please add this information here.
Add reference button: Click this button to add multiple references to a single coin record. ‘Create’ your hoard before you add references, otherwise you will get an error message.
Obverse and reverse images: If you have images of your coins, it is possible to upload them here, either as individual obverse and reverse images, or as a combined image. Make sure that you have the right to share the image. After you have uploaded an image, click add Reference and add the source of the image. Please note that only one image can be uploaded in each category. If you try to upload multiple images in a category, only the latest one added will be saved.
WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED A COIN RECORD, CLICK THE UPDATE BUTTON TO SAVE YOUR DATA.
Barbarous Radiates
Reign: Use 'Aurelian to Diocletian' as a Reign to reflect the likely production period of barbarous radiates.
Person: Where it is uncertain whether a coin is of Victorinus or Tetricus I enter both and it will appear as ‘Victorinus or Tetricus I’. If wholly uncertain, the Person should be entered as 'Uncertain (Gallic Empire imitation)'.
Denomination: Enter the denomination as 'Antoninianus (radiate)' and then tick the 'imitation' box. This will then appear as ‘imitation Antoninianus (radiate)’ in the Coins Summary and Coins tabs.
Mint: Use ‘Uncertain’.
Dates: Under Coin: Starting date = 274; Ending Date = 300. Under Hoard Details (if barbarous radiates are the latest coins in the hoard): Terminal year earliest = 274, Terminal year latest = 300.
Edit Coins tab
This tab allows editing of all the coins in a hoard as well as adding new coins in a table format. A floating toolbar at the bottom of the page allows coins to be added, saved, and for all the existing coins to be looked up in OCRE. The tab is designed to allow bulk editing of coins in a single hoard without constantly navigating between different coins. To edit any cell simply click on it.
It is important to remember to press the ‘Save Coins’ button at the bottom of the page.
Ratings tab
This allows you to rate the accuracy of the numismatic, archaeological-context and findspot data. Obviously, this is not a science and there is always going to be a degree of subjectivity in judging what is a fair record as opposed to a good one. However, some rating system is necessary so that certain categories (for example, well-recorded or poorly-recorded hoards) can be selected or rejected during searches.
Please rate the hoard on the quality of the data currently entered, rather than the quality of data which you know could be entered.
Numismatic
Choose the appropriate description of the quality of the numismatic information from the dropdown menu.
Poor: This would represent a vague reference to coins in a hoard. It may contain details of the number of coins and denomination but no substantial information of the breakdown of the hoard by emperor.
Fair: This would represent a record which gives the number of coins by emperor and denomination but no detailed descriptions of reverse types or perhaps only gives a reverse type for the latest issue.
Good: This would represent a record which gave the number of coins by emperor and denomination. Includes catalogue of coins at level of coin but few or no references (RIC, Cunetio, LRBC etc.).
Excellent: This would represent a fully referenced catalogue of the entire hoard with the total number of coins, the denominations, the reverse types and references.
In the Comments section under the numismatic rating dropdown, please note if you have recorded a hoard at summary level, but have access to coin data at the level of the individual coin. For example:
Although the hoard is recorded here at a summary level, the coins are recorded at the level of RIC in the publication.
Context (archaeological)
Poor: No contextual information or only the very vaguest indication of the archaeological context.
Fair: Some contextual information – for example ‘found during the excavation of a Roman building’ but not enough to reconstruct the exact context.
Good: A more detailed description of the archaeological context – ‘found in a destruction deposit in the south west corner of Roman building A’.
Excellent: A very detailed description including context numbers and other archaeological information:
Found in a destruction deposit (Context: 1242) in the south west corner of the Roman building A. The destruction deposit contained a large quantity of carbonised wood and roof tiles suggesting that it was the remains of a roof which collapsed onto the floor of the building. The stratigraphic relationships are difficult to establish but it is possible that the hoard fell from the rafters rather than being placed on the floor directly before the collapse of the building.
Findspot
Poor: The record will give no information about the findspot or just parish or place-name information. A record which describes a hoard as found ‘Somewhere in Turkey’ through to a record which describes a hoard as ‘Found in Beaurains’ would be rated as poor.
Fair: More detailed information about findspot – ‘found at the southern edge of the village of Beaurains, close to the bridge across the river’ or ‘found on Rue de Rivoli’. This would give you a reasonable indication of where the hoard was found but would not enable you to reconstruct the findspot exactly.
Good: Detailed information about the findspot, including for example a grid reference from the publication (not one generated by our web-app) or a house number eg. ‘126 Rue de Rivoli’ which would enable you to reconstruct the findspot with some degree of confidence.
Excellent: Very detailed information about the findspot, with publication providing a map indicating findspot, grid reference or lat/long, house number etc. This should enable you to reconstruct the findspot extremely accurately.
Archaeological Context tab
This tab provides more information about the archaeological context in which the hoard was found. Many hoard publications include little information of this nature. However, it is important to include as much contextual information as possible as this may indicate something about the function of hoards.
Date of excavation (from): Enter the start date the excavation of the site on which this hoard was found.
Date of excavation (to): Enter the date the excavation of the site on which this hoard was found finished.
Natural features: This is a free text field where any natural features associated with the hoard can be noted. This is an optional field.
Site comment: This is an optional loosely-defined free text field for adding detailed information about the nature of the archaeological context or further information about the site, as seems useful. The field may be used to build upon information given in any of the dropdown fields throughout this section.
Date of context (from) and date range (to): Enter the date range for the context in which the hoard was found. This is an optional field.
Associated features: This is a free text field when details of any associated archaeological features were found. For example:
The hoard was found in one of 10 pits arranged in a figure of 8. The other pits contained deliberately broken pots containing animal bones and organic material.
Recovery method: Choose the recovery method (where known) from this dropdown menu.
Site class: This serves as a very broad characterisation of the nature of the site at the time the hoard was deposited. Where the character of a site changed over time, hoards should be ascribed to the category most appropriate at the apparent point of deposition. Only one site class is allowed per entry. Current options are:
Urban: City or town, within the walled area or immediately surrounding built environment, or equivalent. Civic statuses include provincial capital, conventus capital, metropolis, nome capital, colonia, municipium, civitas, and polis. Within the Empire, we will take as definitive the revised list of urban sites by Jack Hanson, to be hosted on the OXREP website. In the meantime, his original list is available in print in Hanson, J.W. (2016). An Urban Geography of the Roman World, 100 BC to AD 300. Oxford, pp. 193 ff. and online as an excel document at https://oxrep.web.ox.ac.uk/cities-database.
Military: Within the walled perimeter of legionary or auxiliary forts, watch-towers, other military constructions, or outside the perimeter of garrisons up to about 500 m. Includes castra or castella, and civilian settlements intimately connected with a military site (canabae, etc).
Rural: Areas with no urban or military structures. Includes countryside areas with no known structures or only the name of a modern locality, non-urban or agrarian settlements, such as oppida, conciliabula, vici, pagi, canabae (non-military), mutationes, stationes, mansiones, also sites described as hill-fort, complex rural settlement, villa, or farm, as well as mines and quarries.
Marine: In the sea, below the high-water line.
Uncertain: With insufficient information for designation according to the criteria above, or with no information.
For hoards from outside the Roman Empire, use the same definitions as within the empire. There are obviously urban sites outside the Empire, but these are not listed by Hanson (above) and there is no other authoritative list, so use judgement. If not evidently in another category, use 'Rural', unless no or insufficient information, in which case use 'Uncertain'.
Context: This dropdown menu allows a narrower characterisation of the location of the hoard in connection to a site type (cemetery, hillfort, etc.), building, and/or a room within a building. The list is not comprehensive. Please contact the central team if you wish to add an option to the dropdown menu. Multiple selections per entry are possible for this field.
Depositional context: This allows to characterise the precise archaeological context in which a hoard was found (if known), such as grave, destruction deposit, pit, etc. Multiple selections per entry are possible for this field.
Period and end period: These dropdown menus allow you to specify the date range of the context in which your hoard was discovered. For example a ditch in use from the Late Iron Age to the late Roman period would be Period: Iron Age; End Period: Roman.
Containers tab
Click the ‘Add a container’ button to add details of any container associated with your hoard. If you have multiple containers, you can create multiple records.
When a new container has been created, click ‘edit’ and you will be taken to a form to add further information about the container.
Container: Name the container. If a container was present but not described further, refer to it as ‘Vessel’. If the container is given a specific name in the publication, use that. Eg. ‘Jug No. 1’. If you have multiple vessels, but they are not numbered, create a numbering system.
Comment: Use this free text field to describe the container in more detail including measurements, fabric and form.
URI 1 & URI 2: Add any appropriate URI.
Preservation: Choose the appropriate description of the condition of the container from the dropdown menu.
Container form: Choose the form of the container from the dropdown menu. Again this is an evolving dropdown list. Please ask the central team to add a container type if it is not in the dropdown list.
Material: Choose the material from which the container was made from the dropdown list.
Container Images: it is possible to add an image of the container here. Make sure that you have the right to share the image. If the image comes from a digital source please add this to one of the URI fields, otherwise state the source of the image in the comment field.
Objects tab
To add an object to a hoard, click the ‘add an object’ tab and then click ‘Edit’.
In the free text ‘Object’ field, add the object type, eg. ‘Figurine; finger ring; bracelet’. Do not describe the object further in this field or give its metallic composition. For example, a ‘glass beaker’ would be described under object type as ‘beaker’ with its composition chosen from the Material dropdown below.
In the free text ‘Description’ field, you can describe the object further, giving details of its manufacture, appearance, whether it is complete, fragmentary or broken. For example:
A copper-alloy figurine depicting Venus. Venus is naked except for some drapery over her left shoulder and she is gazing at a mirror held in her right hand. The figurine is complete, but there is some damage to the legs. It is of a type paralleled in second century contexts in Gaul.
Quantity: Add the number of objects you are describing here. Usually, this number will be ‘1’. However, if you have multiple objects of the same type without further description (for example, two gold finger rings) you can add them here. However, individual objects which are described in any way should be given their own individual object records.
Production place: It is not obligatory to fill in this field. However, if there is some indication of the place or region of manufacture, add it in this free text field.
Weight (g): Add weight in grams here (if known).
Dimensions (cm): Add length, width and diameter in centimetres.
Start year: This is another optional field. If there is a date range for your object type you can add the earliest date here.
End year: This is another optional field as above. If there is a date range for your object type you can add the latest date here.
Comment: This is a free text field. You can add any relevant comments about the object, its relationship with other objects, the location of the object, etc. here.
Container: If an object was found in a particular container, you can link the object to its container by choosing the appropriate container from the dropdown list.
Material: Choose the material from which the object was made from the dropdown list.
Object Images: it is possible to add an image of the object here. Make sure that you have the right to share the image. Please add the source of the image as a reference for the object.
References
Before creating a new reference, particularly if it is a publication recording multiple hoards, please check whether it has already been entered into the database. This can be done by typing the author or some of the publication name into the reference field. If it has already been created, the reference will appear in the field. If it is not, new references can be created in our bibliographical database.
Please be sure to include a reference to the principal publication of the hoard. It is only necessary to add additional references if they supplement the data in the principal publication or where it is important to make it clear that different publications refer to the same hoard (so that they are not entered by mistake as separate hoards).
When a reference has been added to a hoard please add a note in the comment section of the reference indicating (if relevant) that the coins were originally published in a non-RIC (e.g. Cohen/BMC/MIR) format and therefore that they have been converted.
Always provide a source for the information you have entered into the database. If the hoard is unpublished, explain where you managed to get hold of the data. For example:
Unpublished hoard. Information recorded in Archive of IAA and supplemented by personal communication with Prof. A.N. Other.
N.B. When creating a new reference, the 'Reference type' option ‘standard work’ is intended for major typological works (RRC, RIC, and RPC, for example) and should not be used for scholarship with a narrower focus. Where the year of publication is given as a range, e.g. 1999-2000, enter the latest year as the system will only recognise one date. However, multiple volume numbers for journals can be inserted in the field 'Volume'. Always give volume numbers in arabic numerals (1-9), even if the journal uses Roman numerals (I-IX).
It is possible to attach pdfs to references after a reference has been created. For copyright reasons, these are primarily intended for internal use and only visible to logged in users. There is the possibility to make these pdfs visible to the general public, but only do so if the licence of the document allows you to share it online.
Once you have entered all the data from a particular reference please tick the 'fully entered' check box on the relevant reference under reference lists. This box functions as an indicator that the project will not need to review that particular item of bibliography again and should only be used for this purpose. Should you wish to indicate that you have entered some data from a reference (e.g. for a particular country only) please state this in the internal note field.
Lookup from Zenon
The prefered way of adding new references uses an autocomplete feature from iDAI.bibliography/ZENON 2.0, the bibliographic database of the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut. Please try this option first so references can be imported with an URI. If the item of bibliography is not available in Zenon please add it to CHRE manually.
First, search in Zenon for the reference you would like to import into the CHRE web app. Next, copy the URL of the record (e.g. https://zenon.dainst.org/Record/001348188) into the ‘Zenon URI’ box on the Reference Creation page, then press ‘Lookup from Zenon’. The relevant fields will be copied across from the Zenon database.
Check carefully whether there is more than one record for the same entry. Select only one of the URLs, but only where there are duplicates keep a record of all of them and send them to the central team, specifying which one you used. Do not use URLs starting with AR (e.g. https://zenon.dainst.org/Record/AR010944407) as these will be deleted from the Zenon system at a future date.
It is essential to check that the information appears in the correct boxes and that the place of publication is in English. In the example record given above it would be necessary to delete the full-stop at the end of the pages field. In other cases it may be necessary to delete abbreviations (e.g. Taf.) from the same field. Please also ensure you have selected the appropriate reference type at the top of the page before creating the reference.
Images tab
Any other images of the hoard you may wish to upload can be added here. These might include images of it in archaeological context, museum displays etc.
Make sure that you have the right to share the image. If the image comes from a digital source please add this to one of the URI fields, otherwise state the source of the image in the comment field.
Please note that images of individual coins should be attached to coin records, images of objects to the individual object records, and images of individual containers to the container record.
Credit tab
When you have entered hoard details, please be sure to add your name (initials and surname) and the date (month and year, e.g. February 2017) in brackets to the free text credit field. Do not delete any previous names in this field as this helps us to keep an audit of who has entered what data. We can then contact you should we have any queries regarding your data.
Please acknowledge the source and history of the data here where they are not apparent from References, for example:
W.E. Metcalf partial dataset (2014); uploaded by J. Mairat (November 2015); completed and revised by C. Gazdac (January 2017).
DOWNLOADING DATA
Data on hoards and coins can be downloaded as .csv files from the relevant search pages, including all references at coin level for the hoards. Some users may have difficulty viewing these .csv files in Excel, particularly those using the Mac version. This is a problem with encoding. It may be simplest to open the downloaded .csv file in Numbers or OpenOffice Calc.
COIN DESCRIPTION GUIDANCE
Please follow existing digital models where they exist.
Please note that coin descriptions included in records should describe the type, not the individual coin i.e. the complete legend and types should be recorded rather than only those visible on each coin.
OCRE Obverse and Reverse Description Templates
OCRE descriptions for obverse and reverse types strike a balance between the succinct descriptions of types offered by the RIC and the highly detailed, object specific entries found in the BMC. OCRE aims provides as many details as possible for each distinct type, but does not focus on the minute characteristics of individual dies. OCRE descriptions are always written in full and never abbreviated. In English, OCRE conforms to the British standards for spellings, i.e., “sceptre” not “scepter”; “cornucopiae” not “cornucopia.”
Consider below a standard RIC entry and its OCRE counterpart:
RIC Vol. 1, edition 2, Gaius, no. 38:
Obv.: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT
Gaius head, bare, l.
Rev.: VESTA (above); S — C to l. and r. of Vesta, veiled and dr., seated l. on ornamental throne, r. holding patera, l. long transverse sceptre
OCRE | ric.1(2).gai.38:
Obv.: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT
Head of Caligula, bare, left
Rev.: VESTA S C
Vesta, veiled and draped, seated left on throne with ornamented back and legs, holding patera in right hand and long transverse sceptre in left hand
Most importantly, OCRE strives to standardize the description of obverse and reverse types. By following developed formulae, OCRE ensures all types are described to the same degree of detail across all emperors.
Obverse Types
Portraits are described first by type as either a “Head” or “Bust” of the person. Following details are then described from the top down with direction last. Descriptions are not closed with a period.
- Bust of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, draped, right
A portrait is described as a “head” when drapery, etc. is absent. When some feature is present such as a cuirass the portrait is described as a “bust.” “Head” portraits without a headpiece are described as “bare”, while a “bust” is described as “bare-headed.”
- Head of Augustus, bare, right
- Bust of Geta, bare-headed, draped, right
Portrait Formula: Head/Bust of person, headpiece, clothing, direction
Most headpieces are described adjectivally, e.g., laureate, radiate, diademed. For the early and high empire periods, the term “diademed” refers to a stephane or crown worn by women/female deities. However, in the fourth and later centuries, a “diadem” reverts to the standard definition of an elaborate headband worn by these later emperors. Less common crowns or ornamentation are written as “wearing rostral crown” or “with bands of pearls”. These descriptions follow the portrait type of the person and precede clothing description.
For clothing, “draped” implies some type of cloak on men and a tunica and/or mantle for women. It is standard to describe a man wearing a breastplate and cloak as “draped, cuirassed.”
Reverse Types
Persons and personifications are first identified then described by clothing and stance. If the figure holds any attributes, the object in the right hand is described first followed by the left hand. Commas follow identification, clothing, and the direction in which the figure is sitting or standing. Descriptions are not closed with a period.
- Liberalitas, draped, standing left, holding abacus in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand
Person/Personification Formula: Figure, headpiece (if present), clothing, seated/standing + direction, additional action (if needed), attribute in right hand, attribute in left hand
OCRE supplies common attributes for deities that often omitted by RIC and other catalogues, e.g. Minerva’s helmet, Victory’s wings.
Typical RIC description: Minerva, standing, left holding spear and shield.
Standardized OCRE entry: Minerva, helmeted, draped, standing left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand.
Women and female deities are described as being “draped” for clothing. This almost always indicates a long tunica. At times Venus and Victory are described as being “half-draped” or “nude to waist” when their backsides and/or breast are exposed.
Men wearing a toga are described as “togate.” Men and male deities described as “in military attire” are wearing either a full set of armour (helmet, cuirass, greaves) or simply the short military tunic and cloak. Male deities described as “nude to waist” are wearing a mantle draped around waist with excess fabric hanging over the arm.
A semicolon is used to separate additional elements from the main figure within a reverse type description. The object’s location on reverse is listed first, followed by object. When necessary, additional elements can be further described for clarity.
- Jupiter, nude to waist, seated left on throne, holding thunderbolt in right hand and sceptre in left hand; to left, at feet, eagle
- Pietas, draped, standing left, holding globe in right hand and child in left arm; at either side, left and right, a child, looking towards her, right arm raised
Buildings and other similar structures are described from “large to small” and typically the bottom up. Monuments should be identified by type (temple, bridge, column) first followed by main characteristic (columns, pediments, arches). Statues either within or on top of the structure are then listed followed by smaller decorative details. For temples, the number of columns and pediment type should be identified followed by description of the cult statue or decoration within the pediment. The number of tiers for a funereal pyre should also be recorded.
Monument Formula: Monument type, main characteristics (number of columns, arches), decorative details (garlands, statues, acroteria).
Additional elements are listed after the main description and separated by semicolons.
- Round tetrastyle temple on podium of four steps, between the two central columns, statue of Vesta; to left and right of temple, stands a statue
- Hexastyle temple on podium of two steps; within, Jupiter seated flanked by two figures; on roof, quadriga facing, flanked by two standing figures each on right and left; architrave inscribed IMP CAESAR
If the building is show in perspective, individual details can be described as “left” or “right” in reference to their location on the reverse.
- Temple of Janus, with latticed windows to left and closed double doors to right, with garland hung across
