A hoard of 26 rare coins from the Roman and Iron Age periods in a cave in Derbyshire by a member of the public.
The trove is the first time that Roman coins that predate the invasion of Britain in AD 43 and gold and silver pieces from the Corieltavi tribe have been found together.
The cache, which has been declared a “treasure” by authorities, has prompted a full excavation of the site in Dovedale.
British Museum’s curator of Iron Age and Roman coins, Ian Leins, said:
“Although this is a much smaller hoard than the similar finds made at Hallaton in 2000, this has been declared treasure and is an exciting discovery given the puzzling location in a cave and the fact that it lies beyond the main circulation area of the coinage.”
National Trust archaeologist, Rachael Hall commented:
“The coins would suggest a serious amount of wealth ‘power’ of the individual who owned them. Coins were used more as a symbol of power and status during the Late Iron Age, rather than for buying and selling staple foods and supplies. Was an individual simply hiding his ‘best stuff’ for safe keeping? Or, perhaps speculating, in the hope that the value would increase in the future, like a modern-day ISA?
“The situation of the cave can’t be ignored either. Could it have been a sacred place to the Late Iron Age peoples that was taboo to enter in everyday life, making it a safe place that would ensure that person’s valuables were protected?”
The coins will go on permanent display at Buxton Museum later this year.
