Preliminary Report on the 2019 Varzi Hoard (Northern Italy, Province of Pavia)

In 2019, a large hoard of radiates was discovered near Varzi (PV – Northern Italy). It consisted of 1308 coins, dated between the times of Gallienus and Aurelian (based on a preliminary analysis). The specimens from the hoard are in a poor state of preservation, probably due to the lack of a ceramic vessel to preserve them from direct contact with the ground. This is confirmed by the absence of any ceramic fragments in association with the find. The new hoard has increased the (already extensive) evidence for hoards buried in the area during the second half of the third century ad, some of which were even larger than the Varzi hoard itself (Grumello Cremonese, Ceretto Lomellina, Ottobiano, etc.). The restoration of a part of the coins within this hoard has formed part of a dissertation project on conservation and restoration developed at the University of Bologna. The aim of the project was to experiment with different techniques in order to achieve effective results in the reading and conservation of coins with a low silver content.