New English Gold Hoard Tpq AD 15

Posted by Martin R on January 18, 2009
(9)
More »

i-ac49387abdb3198a3c71156b9447dd83-image0318_b.jpgThanks to a good metal detectorist and a swift response by British Museum archaeologists, all English Iron Age aficionados can now enjoy and study a hoard of 824 indigenous gold stater coins, buried in AD 15 or shortly thereafter. The hoard was in a plain pottery vessel, buried in a rectilinear cultic structure near Wickham Market, Suffolk. It’s the largest Iron Age gold coin hoard reported from Britain since 1849.

In Sweden, we don’t have a single coin deposited at such an early date, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Danes don’t either (though they do have other very cool imports of the period).

Via Archaeology Daily, with thanks to Reggae Roger for the heads-up.

[More blog entries about , , , , , , , ; , , , , , , .]

(9)
More »

Comments

  1. #1 Tobias
    January 18, 2009

    It’s a cracker for sure! The finder and he land owner will be able to share a fair reward, which they definitely deserve.

    If you would like a better piccy, look here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1120523/Largest-hoard-iron-age-gold-coins-unearthed-treasure-hunter-using-metal-detector.html

  2. #2 Pierre
    January 18, 2009

    We do have coinfinds with equally old or older coins in Scandinavia, but if there is anything that we can say was deposited this early (or earlier) I dont´t know.

  3. #3 ArchAsa
    January 19, 2009

    Wooooo!
    Even a stone age-fanatic such as myself cannot help being temporarily blinded by THAT brilliance!
    As you say, the date is the most important aspect – that is really, really early. Any interpretations yet if it is a “tribute” (bribe) voluntarily paid by the romans to some Celtic chieftan, or if it is the spoils of a succesful raid?

  4. #4 ArchAsa
    January 19, 2009

    Oops! Read too fast. Indigigenous coins. That’s even more interesting. Tell us more.

  5. #5 Martin R
    January 19, 2009

    Apparently the Britons of that period buried large precious metal hoards within their ritual precincts. Seen before, but not always coins.

  6. #6 Dunc
    January 21, 2009

    Indigigenous coins. That’s even more interesting. Tell us more.

    As I understand it, there is an argument that at least part of the motivation for the Roman invasion of Britain was to get their hands on our gold.

  7. #7 megan
    January 21, 2009

    as someone who doesn’t use a metal detector and claims ignorance, how do they detect precious metals? i only knew about detecting for iron.

  8. #8 Martin R
    January 21, 2009

    They detect all metals. Most beep when they sense something. If the beep is low-pitch, it’s iron. If it’s middle pitch, it’s lead. If somewhat heightened pitch, it’s copper alloy. And if it’s a high squeal, then it’s either gold, silver or aluminium. Unfortunately it’s pretty hard to tell those three apart.

  9. #9 Charles Butcher
    January 29, 2009

    it’s pretty hard to tell those three apart

    “If in doubt, dig it out”.

    Many a Viking axe or medieval sword has been mistaken for a horseshoe…