Archeologists have found a rare coin at excavation in Veliky Novgorod - the coin of Byzantine Emperor Romanos I and Co-Emperor Constantine VII "the Purple-born," corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy Director of the Archeology Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Pyotr Gaidukov told Interfax.
"The find was made in the cultural layer of the 10th century at the Troitsky excavation. The coin dates back to 931-944. It is made of silver. The coin weights about three grams. In terms of size it is a little bigger than the modern 5-ruble coin. The condition of the coin is average. It has two holes. So it was used as a decoration in a necklace at some point," Gaidukov said.
The Troitsky excavation is the historical center of Veliky Novgorod, to the south of the Kremlin. It is the primary site one for the Novgorod archeological expedition and scientists have been working there for over 40 years. The 2014 excavation started in May and is still in progress.
Every year the Troitsky excavation brings to light unique finds, including numismatic rarities. In particular, this season archeologist found here five silver Arab coins - dirham. Researchers have provisionally dated these coins to the early 11th century.
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