10,000 Roman coins unearthed - Roman coins found in Shropshire

FROM:
http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/0...hed/sd3275496/

Shropshire UK

10,000 Roman coins unearthed - Roman coins found in Shropshire

One of the largest hauls of Roman coins ever discovered
in Shropshire has been unearthed after nearly 1,700
years underground by a metal detector enthusiast on his
first treasure hunt, it was revealed today.

(Image of Coins)
http://www.shropshirestar.com/wp-con.../sd3275496.jpg

The collection of more than 10,000 coins, most of which
were found inside a pot, was uncovered by Nick Davies
from Ford during a search of land in the Shrewsbury
area - just a month after he took up the hobby.

It was today described as a "large and important" find
by experts who say it is the biggest haul of Roman
coins to be found anywhere in Britain this year.

Peter Reavill, finds liaison officer for the Portable
Antiquities Scheme which records archaeological finds
made by the public, said the coins appear to date from
the period 320AD to 340AD, late in the reign of
Constantine I.

He said that among the coins were issues celebrating
the anniversary of the founding of Rome and
Constantinople. In total the coins and the pot weigh
more than 70lbs.

Mr Reavill said the exact location of the find could
not be revealed for security reasons.

He said: "This is probably one of the largest coin
hoards ever discovered in Shropshire. The finder,
Nick Davies, bought his first metal detector a month
ago and this is his first find made with it.

"The coins were placed in a very large storage jar
which had been buried in the ground about 1,700
years ago."

The coins will now be taken to the British Museum
for detailed examination, before a report is sent
to the coroner.

Mr Reavill said: "There seems to be a minimum of
10,000 coins, the majority of which are corroded
together in the pot.

"The coins are all bronze, and some of them have been
silver washed. They are known as nummi and were
common during the 4th century AD.

"The top of the pot had been broken in the ground
and a large number of the coins spread in the area.
All of these were recovered during the excavation
with the help of a metal detector. This added at
least another 300 coins to the total.

"It is likely that the hoard represents a person or
communities wealth, possibly as a payment for a
harvest. Why it was not collected by the owner is a
mystery, but one that we can share and enjoy 1,700
years after the fact."


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