Roman, Ostrogothic and Byzantine coins from the castrum of Loppio - S. Andrea (Trento-Italy)

Since 1998 the Museo Civico di Rovereto-Archaeological Department has been carrying out excavation campaigns at the site of Loppio - S. Andrea, in the Regione Trentino in Northern Italy. The unearthed masonry structures in the dig areas named A and B are parts of a late antique-early medieval forti ed settlement (castrum), characterized by a sequence of different build- ing phases going back to the 6th and 7th centuries. Many nds belonging to weaponry and soldiers equipment suggest that this site, strategically located along the ancient route going from the Adige Valley to the North Garda Lake, was settled for military reasons and housed soldiers with their families. A total amount of 90 coins has been found, mainly consisting of late Roman bronze specimens which served as local small change currency; Gothic and Byzantine coins in silver and gold are also well attested, offering a very representative view of integration of old 4th-5th centuries issues in the trimetallic 6th century monetary system, as well of their re-use within the Lom- bard society.