| Worcestershire Conquest Hoard | |
|---|---|
| Material | Clay Shards, 1368 Celtic Staters, Roman denarii and Aureii |
| Created | 55 CE |
| Period/culture | Reign of Nero (54–68 CE) |
| Discovered | 2023 Worcestershire |
| Culture | Roman Britain |
The Worcestershire Conquest Hoard is a Roman British coin hoard dating to the reign of Nero (54–68 CE). In 2023, the hoard was discovered by public construction work in Leigh or Bransford, Worcestershire, England, deposited in a clay jar. Valued at minimum of £100,000, a crowdfunded effort ongoing since December 2024 to acquire the hoard has been in place on behalf of the Worcestershire Heritage, Art & Museums.
Background
Throughout the 1st century, starting with the reign of Claudius, the Roman Empire expanded their way up north from 43–84 CE during the Conquest of Britain. Similar hoards during the era include the Helmingham Hall Hoard (discovered 2019), where a diverse array of denarii and Celtic coinage were deposited in the ground, presumably as savings by a legionary.
The burial of the cache was dated to 55 CE, during the early stages of the conquest based upon the latest minted coin, that of Nero. It is believed that the hoard is the savings of a local farmer who supplied the Roman military with provisions.
The hoard was discovered in 2023, and HM Coroner deemed it as Treasure in June 2024. Classified as the most important archaeological find in the county in the last century, the Museums Worcestershire initiated a crowdfund campaign of £6,000 to acquire and preserve the hoard, which has been approximated to a value of £100,000. As of January 2025, the hoard is on display at the Worcester Art Museum.
Contents
The pot was already broken when found, and 119 sherds were recovered. The vessel base was intact, which meant a plough may have caused the pot to shatter while it was in the ground.
The local area, which includes Malvern, is known for pottery, and while pots during the Iron Age were gray, later orange clay was produced to mimic Samian ware. The pot represents a specific variant of Malvern pottery called "Severn Valley" ware, which 20 kilns produced in the region, at the time the hoard was deposited.
The coin content dates from 157 BC to AD 55, based upon the array of Roman Republic and Imperial Roman coinage, all silver. A single gold stater was also found in the hoard, which was minted for the Dobunni people who inhabited the county at the time of conquest. The stater was minted during the reign of Eisu (AD 20–43).
Many of the coins exhibit bankers' marks, whose purpose is unclear.
As of 2025, the hoard has distinction of being the largest known from Britain and from the reign of Nero. At the time of deposit, fighting was primarily taking place around Wales.
See Also
References
- ^ Breen, Kerry (2024-12-03). "Treasure trove of Roman coins found during construction in U.K. - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ Benbow, Alice (2024-12-02). "Campaign launched to save The Worcestershire Conquest Hoard". Museums Worcestershire. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ "Help Save the Worcestershire Conquest Hoard - Day 32 Update". Crowdfunder UK. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ "Campaign launched to save The Worcestershire Conquest Hoard | Worcestershire County Council". www.worcestershire.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- "Coins discovered by metal detectorist inspired by Indiana Jones to go to auction". The Independent. 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ UCL (2024-12-04). "Revealing Roman Britain: the Worcestershire Conquest hoard". Institute of Archaeology. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- "Stater". en.numista.com. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- Fox, Deborah (3 January 2025). "Bankers Marks on the Worcestershire Conquest Hoard". Research Worcestershire. Retrieved 10 January 2025.