by Björn Schöpe
March 7, 2013 – In 2007 an archaeological excavation in the city of Bath revealed an enormous hoard of Roman coins. It was estimated to be the fifth largest treasure hoard found in the UK ever. Experts said it might comprise some 30,000 coins and the Museum of Bath started to raise funds (allegedly aiming at £150,000) as for the acquisition of this important testimony of Roman life in the region.
In the meantime the coins fused into one huge metal block went to the British Museum in London to be treated by conservators in the first place. Now the major part of this work has been accomplished. Eight bags full of coins were stored in a wooden chest, the content of seven of them has been counted. However, according to the latest news the coins are expected to amount ‘only’ to around 16,000 pieces, 14,646 coins having been counted already. Currently the coins are being analysed and described. When this work will be concluded, the hoard’s provisional value will be decided by the Treasure Valuation Committee in order to determine the sum to be raised by the Bath Museum, which will be split between finder and landowner.
We recommend you vividly the very interesting and detailed blog reports of the British Museum containing list of the coins, images and video clips. You can read the latest here …
… previous blogs here and here.
We reported last year about the Beau Street Hoard here.