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Metal Detectorist Discovers 1386 Coins From Construction Site, Is One of the Largest Hoard Recovered From Roman Britain Era

Most coins in the hoard were identified as silver denarii issued in Rome and linked with Roman Emperor Nero.
PUBLISHED FEB 4, 2025
The Worcestershire Conquest Hoard (Cover Image Source: Museums Worcestershire)
The Worcestershire Conquest Hoard (Cover Image Source: Museums Worcestershire)

In 2023, the 'Worcestershire Conquest Hoard' was unearthed in England during construction work. This collection located in the Leigh and Bransford area of Worcestershire stands apart because it is one of the largest hoards from the Roman period to be found in the United Kingdom, stated Museum Worcestershire. The treasure is also the largest hoard from Nero's reign to be uncovered in the country. Researchers claim that the treasure's burial date was around A.D. 55, around the beginning of Roman Britain. 

Both coins are Iron Age gold coins produced between Caesar's invasions of Britain (55/54 BC) and the Roman Conquest in AD 43.  (Representative Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust, Richard Henry)
Both coins are Iron Age gold coins produced between Caesar's invasions of Britain (55/54 B.C.) and the Roman Conquest in A.D. 43. (Representative Image Source: Wikimedia Commons | Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust, Richard Henry)

The unearthed items comprised 1,368 Iron Age and Roman gold and silver coins, according to The Jerusalem Post. The metal detectorist found them all in a pot, buried inside the ground. Most of the coins in the hoard were identified to be silver denarii, according to Museum Worcestershire. These kinds of coins were issued in Rome and were linked with Emperor Nero due to the results of the dating procedure. These silvers were made starting from 157 B.C. up to the reign of the emperor Nero (A.D. 54–68), according to analysis. The collection had only one gold coin, which was determined to be a stater from the Iron Age. This stater was possibly minted for Dobunni, a local British tribe, who lived in the region and neighboring counties to the south and west from A.D. 20–45.



 

Experts have also speculated that the pot containing the coins was made in one of the kilns located at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Researchers believe the coins came into the region due to the Roman Empire. The number of coins in the hoard implies that the collection represented a considerable value at that time. Several guesses have been made regarding the owner, with one theory being that it belonged to a farmer who supplied Roman army grains and livestock.



 

The burial date of the treasure implies that the hoard was placed at the spot when Worcestershire was at the edge of an expanding Roman empire. Hence, such a discovery was 'unexpected' here, said senior curator Deborah Fox, stated BBC. This finding changes the way historians perceive Roman activity in Britain during that period. "Specialists and academics are coming together now to try and work out what that means for the story of the conquest of Britain by the Romans. There's a Roman historian called Tacitus who talks about disarming the tribes between the Severn and the Trent, and suddenly we find ourselves right in the middle of those history books," Fox added.

In June 2024, the collection was named Treasure by the Coroner for Worcestershire, according to Museum Worcestershire. The museum is currently facilitating a fundraiser to keep the treasure in the county and be available for residents to enjoy. The pursuit is being led by Worcestershire Heritage, Art & Museums charity, who want to raise around £6,000 ($7446). The approximate cost of the treasure is around £100,000 ($124,100). Museum authorities believe that the remainder of the amount could be arranged through grant funding applications. If the amount is not collected, the treasure will be given back to landowners and treasure finders, who may or may not agree to publically display it. "The charity is extremely excited to be heading up this campaign to raise funds to keep this extraordinary Hoard in the County. We hope people will dig deep in their pockets and make sure the Hoard can be enjoyed in Worcestershire for years to come," said Chair of the Trustees of Worcestershire Heritage, Art & Museums charity, Caroline Naisbitt.



 

Authorities are very keen on keeping the treasure in Worcestershire. "What a fantastic find and so important for anyone wishing to understand more about the county’s heritage. This is real Worcestershire treasure, and it needs to be seen and enjoyed by Worcestershire residents for generations to come." Chair of the Joint Museums Committee, Councillor Karen May added.

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