Interpretation of coin finds is not quite an easy thing. How to distinguish, e. g., material of 'hoards' from that of 'votive deposits'? Where are the 'border lines' dividing numismatic find categories from each other? Questions like these deserve a closer scrutiny. This book tries to face the problems by: proposing clear definitions for categories and sub-categories of coin finds; by collecting and interpreting written testimonies (from ancient literature, epigraphy and papyrology) casting light on reasons and circumstances of coin deposition and coin loss in antiquity; by describing differences of composition between the categories; by discussing difficulties of 'differential diagnosis'; and the role of secondary finds. For each problem and for each find category a large number of examples is offered.

Based on analyses of stratigraphy and finds, this book reconstructs the history of Iuvavum, the Roman town of Salzburg (Austria). Founded as the first municipium in the northern part of the province of Noricum, this town was crossed by an important west-eastern traffic route, as well as a correspondingly important transalpine road, and thus developed into a vibrant nexus of traffic and trade. Covering some 90 acres, the centre assumed the role of capital of northwestern Noricum."