‘Mint’ Roman swords unearthed

While there are several companies that “grade” the condition of collectible coins, sports cards, and comic books, there is really no grading outlet for military collectibles. It is often times up to the owner — whether that is a collector or dealer — to decide the condition.

Very often, however, the words “Mint Condition” are thrown about. The term was originally used to describe the conditions of coins, as though they were straight from the mint without any wear or abrasions. It is now an expression that is used to denote the quality of pre-owned goods that display virtually no imperfections or are in pristine condition relative to their original state. “Mint condition” can mean something that was unused, has little to no storage wear and looks like it came straight from the factory. However, we need to remember that the older an item, the more subjective we may be when describing the quality.

Thus while one item might be considered “(FP) Fair to Poor” – in sports card terms – it could actually be seen as “(VGE) Very Good to Excellent” due to the rarity, and age.

No one would describe a rusty or pitted sword that is missing its original handle from even the American Civil War as being in “Excellent” condition, but a blade from the Middle Ages in similar condition could be seen as such. Simply put, it is Excellent for something of its age.

This explains how a trove of ancient artifacts that included four Roman swords and the head of a javelin known as a “pilum” were denoted as being in “almost mint condition” when they were uncovered this past summer in a remote cave near the Dead Sea in Israel.

Though the items haven’t undergone radiocarbon dating to determine an exact age, it is believed they were used by Roman forces stationed in Judea around the time of the Jewish insurrections in the 2nd century CE.

The swords were noted for having their wooden and leather hilts largely intact. Though in very fragile condition, these items were 1,900 years old, so clearly there is a sliding scale when determining “mint condition.” These are among the most complete and intact Roman swords of the era to be found untouched for eons.

The news of the discovery of the Roman swords followed that of an even older “Bronze Age” sword that was found in Germany in June. The bronze sword, discovered intact with its octagonal hilt, was found in a grave in the southern town of Nördlingen. It is thought to be from the late 14th century BC – making it more than 3,000 years old.

Its condition was so good “it almost still shines,” Bavaria’s State Office for Monument Protection (BLfD) said in a press statement. Part of the reason for its excellent condition was its materials and the fact that it was likely never used in anger. Yet, it was still a real weapon and wasn’t merely ornamental.

It could be argued that Europe and the Middle East are in an “Age of Swords” – not for the new ones being made today, but the ones being discovered. There have been around a dozen such finds in recent years, with a 1,100 “Viking” sword being discovered in Norway in July.

Those were far from “mint condition,” yet the rusty sword was still noted for being historically significant. It makes this writer wonder why everyone in Norway, Germany and Israel isn’t out with metal detectors right now!