A hoard of Roman silver coins discovered by metal-detectorists six feet from their tent on a camping trip has sold for £100,000. The amazing find of more than 160 silver coins - dubbed the 'Pewsey Hoard' - had an estimate of £30,00-£40,000.
Veteran detectorists Mick Rae, 63, a herds manager, computer shop owner Robert Abbott, 53, and carpenter Dave Allen, 59, found a total of 161 coins, comprising silver siliqua and miliarense dating from 340 AD to 402 AD in September 2020. The trio, who have over 90 years detecting experience between them, made the discovery of a lifetime during a camping weekend in Wiltshire.
Just weeks before they camped at the same spot directly on top of where they finally found the hoard. After collecting the coins in mint condition, the friends took them home in a washing up bowl.
Mr Abbott, who lives in Essex, explained that the rare discovery occurred over two days just after the first Covid lockdown ended. He said: “Having finished breakfast first, I turned on my machine, a Minelab Equinox 800, and having walked around six paces from the tent, I found several tent pegs and just under the surface a late Roman silver siliqua in pristine condition.
Dave Allen (L) and Rob Abbott (R) who found a hoard of roman coins
"A few moments later beside it, I found another one.” Robert's find prompted Mick, from Wiltshire and Dave, from Essex, to eagerly grab their detectors and join in the search
Robert added: “Ironically, we had been camping there two weeks previous for a week-long detecting outing. What we hadn’t realised is we’d actually camped right on top of the area where the coins were found."
The British Museum has also studied the coins and is keeping two for its collection. Nigel Mills, of Noonans, says all of the coins are in "mint condition" and have not needed a "clean" since their discovery.
A selection of old Roman coins in a display case
He said: "The hoard was buried at a time when Roman rule in Britain under the Emperor Honorius was no longer viable with the army being recalled to protect other provinces. In AD 410 Britain was told to protect itself by Honorius.
“As a result Britain has become a treasure island of late 4th Century and early 5th Century gold and silver Roman coin and jewellery hoards as the local population buried their valuables and then fell victim to Saxon raids."
Specialist Coin, Medal and Jewellery auctioneers Noonans sold the hoard at the firm's saleroom in Mayfair, central London.
