Oldest Roman Coin in Britain Found in Hoard

Submitted by Seren Langley on Thu, 2010-01-28 17:47
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A slightly worn 2220 year old silver coin, one of over 5000 discovered at a site near the village of Hallaton, Leicestershire, is about to get its moment in the limelight after museum staff realised it is the oldest Roman coin ever found in Britain.

Hallaton Treasure The coin, a silver denarius dated to 211 BC, depicts the goddess Roma wearing her characteristic helmet on the front. The mythical twins, Castor and Pollux sit astride galloping horses on the reverse. The type of coin known as a denarius was first struck in Rome in 211 BC, making the Hallaton coin a very early version. A soldier or unskilled worker living in the 1st century AD could expect to earn 1 denarius for a day’s work.

The previous oldest known Roman coin found in Britain was discovered by metal detectorist Malcolm Langford in Berkshire and recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme last year.

The Hallaton coin is on display at Harborough Museum, Market Harborough, Leicestershire alongside other coins that were excavated at a Late Iron Age shrine of the Corieltavi tribe dating to the 1st century AD. Archaeologists believe the coins were buried as gifts to the gods with other incredible finds including a richly decorated Roman cavalry helmet, a unique silver bowl and the remains of over 300 pigs.

The finds from Hallaton were declared Treasure and acquired by Leicestershire County Council with the help of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The specially designed Hallaton Treasure Gallery opened at Harborough Museum in September 2009.

  • Download the full press release, with additional contact details (PDF 65KB).
  • Harborough Museum is operated in partnership by Leicestershire County Council, Harborough District Council and the Market Harborough Historical Society, tel 01858 821085, email.