Roman Coin Hoard Found in Somerset
Archaeology, Britain, England, Frome, History, Metal Detecting, Roman Coin Hoard, Somerset, Treasure
A man with a metal detector has made one of the largest finds of Roman coins in Britain.
The hoard of around 52,000 coins dating from the third century AD was found buried in a field near Frome in Somerset.
The coins were in a huge jar just over a foot below the surface, located by Dave Crisp from Devizes in Wiltshire.
Archaeologists believe the hoard, which sheds light on the economic crisis and coalition government in the 3rd century under Emperor Carausius, will rewrite the history books. …
It is thought the £250,000 find – known as the Frome Haul – represents the biggest single haul ever unearthed in Britain.
The hoard is one of the largest ever found in Britain, and will reveal more about the nation’s history in the third century, said Roger Bland, of the British Museum.
One of the most important aspects of the hoard is that it contains a large group of coins of Carausius, who ruled Britain independently from AD 286 to AD 293 and was the first Roman emperor to strike coins in Britain.
The hoard contains over 760 of his coins, making it the largest group of his coins ever found.
It is estimated the coins were worth about four years’ pay for a legionary soldier.
Carausius was a Roman naval officer who seized power in 286 and ruled until he was assassinated in 293.
‘The late third century A.D. was a time when Britain suffered barbarian invasions, economic crises and civil wars,’ Bland said.
