The gold coins represented the largest 1st-century hoard discovered in Britain and one of only a handful of large early-Imperial Roman hoards known in the Empire. The aurei were issued by seven emperors: Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vittellius and Vespasian. Many rare types are represented among them, along with one unique type. The coins are all in good or very fine condition. The silver coin hoard, recovered a few metres away from the gold coins, contains Republican and Imperial issues, including a coin issued by the emperor Vespasian. It is likely that the silver coin hoard was originally buried at about the same time as the gold hoard. Roman gold coin hoards are extremely rare. Both hoards suggest the late Iron Age practice of depositing groups of gold and silver items as votive offerings, as at Snettisham in Norfolk. It is likely that the site where the hoards were buried was a religious or 'cult' site.

Provenance

Found in Shillington. Declared Treasure in 1998.