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Metal Detectorists Find Rare 1st Century Coins; First of Its Kind to Be Unearthed From the European Mainland

In total, 404 coins were present in the hoard and many coins were issued between A.D. 46 and 47, under the rule of Roman Emperor Claudius.
PUBLISHED JAN 29, 2025
Ancient Denar Coins (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Thomas K.)
Ancient Denar Coins (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Thomas K.)

Two metal detectorists in the Netherlands stumbled on a collection of coins during their scouring, the findings later turned out to be a rare hoard dating back to the first century. The collection included gold and silver coins which bore portraits of rulers from Rome, England, and Africa, stated Live Science. The collection was uncovered in 2023 in the town of Bunnik. Experts think the coins are of British and Roman origin. 

Collection of Various British Coins Close-up (Representative Image Source: Pexels/Photo by Marian Florinel Condruz)
Collection of Various British Coins (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Marian Florinel Condruz)

The metal detectorists who found the burial site were identified as Gert-Jan Messelaar and Reinier Koelink, stated The Guardian. In their scouring, the two detectorists unearthed 381 coins, and later Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands found 23 more coins from the same location.

Archaeologists who studied the coins and their finding site, believe the collection was possibly placed there in A.D. 47, according to Live Science. Researchers speculate that the hoard belonged to a Roman soldier returning from English lands, who garnered the Roman coins as his pay and British coins as part of his war booty. Experts have not yet figured out the reason behind a Roman soldier burying his valuable collection in such a manner. Researchers feel the hoard could have been placed there by the soldier to come back to it again or as a dedication to a deity. 



 

In total, 404 coins were present in the hoard, as per experts. Examinations unveiled that many coins in the collection were issued between A.D. 46 and 47, under the rule of Roman emperor Claudius. In the collection, around 116 were determined to be made of gold. The gold ones had two kinds of coins, Roman aurei, and staters. Researchers identified 72 Roman aurei that were minted from 19 B.C. to A.D. 47. Forty-four gold alloy coins in the collection were categorized as staters by experts, a type of ancient coins issued in Britain. The staters in the group had the name of Celtic king Cunobeline (a Briton ruler) imprinted on them.

There were 288 silver coins in the collection, according to researchers. As per examinations, all of them were created from 200 B.C. to A.D. 47. One of them carries the imagery of a popular Roman figure, Julius Caesar. Another silver coin features the persona of Juba, a past king of Numidia. The wide chronological range of these coins made researchers believe that they were put out of circulation during a single event, stated The Guardian. As per historical records such a phenomenon happened during the early Roman conquest of Britain under General Aulus Plautius (A.D. 43-47).



 

The collection was crucial for researchers because it is the largest hoard from the Roman period spotted in the Dutch province of Utrecht, stated Live Science. The finding is also the first of its kind to be unearthed from the European mainland. After the discovery, metal detectorists reported about it to officials. Later, the National Museum of Antiquities of the Netherlands purchased the collection. Recently, the hoard was put on display in an exhibition titled "The Netherlands in Roman Times." The hoard is currently a part of the National Museum of Antiquities National Archaeology Collection.

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