Roman Age coins hoard declared a 'treasure trove'

London, Nov 3 : One of the largest deposits of Roman coins ever found in Wales, UK, which consists of nearly 6,000 copper alloy coins, has been declared a treasure trove.

According to a report by BBC, the Roman coins hoard was found buried in two pots in a field at Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, by a local metal detector enthusiast in April.

Two separate hoards were found by the metal detectorist on successive days, one involving 2,366 coins and the other 3,547 coins, 3m away.

The 1,700-year-old coins dated from the reigns of numerous emperors, notably Constantine I (the Great, AD 307-37), during whose time Christianity was first recognised as a state religion.

Derek Eveleigh, from Penarth, who came across the hoards in a field of sheep, has kept his find a secret until the outcome of an inquest into the findings.

An independent committee will now value the coins.

Edward Besly, the National Museum Wales' coin specialist, has called the discovery an "exceptional find".

"The coins provide further evidence for local wealth at the time. They also reflect the complex imperial politics of the early fourth century," he said.

It is thought that the two hoards were buried by the same person, possibly two years apart. A similar find was uncovered in the area in 1899.

"There was quite a bit of Roman activity in the area at the time, southwards from Cardiff Castle, where there was a Roman fort, to the Knap at Barry where there was an administrative building and there were farms in the Sully area," said Besly.

"There's a human story there somewhere but it's intangible, we can't really get to it but certainly somebody buried two pots of coins. It could have been they were buried for safe keeping, possibly at a time of danger," he added.

It is hoped that the coins will be given over to the National Museum Wales for further study and to go on public display.

ANI