Largest haul of Roman coins of its kind uncovered in Lincolnshire
The largest haul of Roman coins from the early 4th Century AD ever found in Britain has been unearthed by two metal detector enthusiasts.
The discovery was made near Rauceby after the detectorists painstakingly searched the area for years.
The hoard, which consists of more than 3,000 copper alloy coins, many of which are historically unique, is now being examined by experts at the British Museum and is regarded as being of significant international importance.
Finder Rob Jones, a 59-year-old engineering teacher from Lincoln, and his friend Craig Paul, a 32-year-old planner from Woodhall Spa, made the discovery in July 2017.
Rob said: "Our metal detectors started making signal noises, prompting us to dig down and have a look. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I've found a few things before, but absolutely nothing on this scale. I was totally amazed. Finding the coins was the ultimate experience that we will never forget.
"It's an incredibly humbling experience knowing that when you discover something like this, the last time someone touched it was nearly 2,000 year ago! I was completely flabbergasted!"
A full investigation of the site was then undertaken by Craig, Dr Adam Daubney, archaeologist at Lincolnshire County Council and Sam Bromage from the University of Sheffield. During the excavation another hoard of 10 coins was found.
Craig said: “It was fantastic to join the excavation to see Adam and Sam in action. To be there and see the pot appear out of the ground was really something. I never expected that there would be a second smaller hoard - that was just a bonus and really got us asking questions!”
Dr Daubney said: "The coins were found in a ceramic pot, which was buried in the centre of a large oval pit – lined with quarried limestone. What we found during the excavation suggests to me that the hoard was not put in the ground in secret, but rather was perhaps a ceremonial or votive offering. The Rauceby hoard is giving us further evidence for so-called 'ritual' hoarding in Roman Britain."
Dr Eleanor Ghey, curator of Iron Age and Roman coin hoards at the British Museum, added: "At the time of the burial of the hoard around AD 307, the Roman Empire was increasingly decentralised and Britain was once again in the spotlight following the death of the emperor Constantius in York. Roman coins had begun to be minted in London for the first time. As the largest fully recorded find of this date from Britain, it has great importance for the study of this coinage and the archaeology of Lincolnshire."
Yesterday, the coins were officially declared treasure under the Treasure Act 1996 at Lincoln Coroner's Court.
For more information about reporting finds in Lincolnshire, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
