A plumber from Sapcote, Leicestershire, UK, made an astonishing discovery while enjoying his hobby of metal detecting – a hoard of approximately 50 ancient Roman coins. David Dunn, who took up metal detecting in 2023 as a way to unwind after work, stumbled upon the treasure in a field near his home on July 19, 2023. The news of this remarkable find was recently publicized by London-based auction house Noonans Mayfair.
Using a Deus 2 metal detector, Dunn initially picked up a faint signal. Upon investigation, he unearthed a Roman coin, followed by another in the same spot. Overwhelmed with excitement, he immediately informed the landowner and continued digging. The excavation yielded a total of 50 coins scattered across a four-square-meter area.
The coins, known as antoninianus, each worth two denarii, date back to the reigns of several Roman emperors. The oldest coins originate from the rule of Carausius, the Roman emperor of Britannia from 286 to 293 AD, while others were minted during the reigns of Allectus, Diocletian, and Maximian, placing the newest coins in the 4th century AD. Interestingly, one of the coins from Carausius’s era features a previously undocumented design, contributing new knowledge to the field of numismatics.
The discovery is particularly significant given Leicestershire's history as a prominent Roman town known as Ratae Corieltauvorum. The presence of Roman artifacts in the region is not uncommon, with a Roman villa located on a nearby farm. Dunn expressed his awe at the condition of the coins, many of which boast well-preserved portraits.
The coin hoard is scheduled for auction on February 18th and is expected to fetch upwards of $1,800. However, Dunn has expressed his disinterest in the monetary gain, prioritizing the historical significance of the find. He intends to share a significant portion of the proceeds with the farmer who owns the land where the coins were discovered.
This unexpected discovery not only offers a glimpse into the past but also highlights the rewarding nature of pursuing hobbies and the potential for uncovering hidden treasures in the most unexpected places.
