A metal detector enthusiast made an exciting discovery in Britain – a hoard of gold coins dating back 2,173 years. Stephen Eldridge stumbled upon the 12 ancient Iron Age coins while exploring farmland in Buckinghamshire. After experts at the British Museum examined them, it was revealed that they were produced by a tribe from Picardy, France around 150BC.
It is believed that the coins may have been sent to Britain as a part of a trade deal where Celtic soldiers were hired to fight the Romans in Gaul, western Europe. Although single gold coins from this era have been discovered in the past, finding a treasury from this specific time period is highly unusual.
A hobbyist using a metal detector has unearthed the most ancient collection of gold coins ever found in Britain, dating back a staggering 2,173 years.
During his search of farmland in Buckinghamshire, Stephen Eldridge stumbled upon a collection of 12 Iron Age coins. These coins are anticipated to fetch around £30,000 when they are put up for auction at Spink & Son in London. Mr. Eldridge, aged 68, made this discovery in the village of Ashley Green, Buckinghamshire, back in November 2019. During 150BC, the region was home to the Catuvellauni tribe, who eventually became the dominant tribe in Britain over the following century.
After sorting through the discovered treasure, Mr. Eldridge has decided to auction off the coins through the London-based experts at Spink. Analysis using scientific x-ray fluorescence revealed that the coins are made up of approximately 75% gold, along with traces of silver and copper, reflecting the economic conditions during the time Britain’s first gold coins were in circulation. Gregory Edmund from Spink & Son stated that while individual gold coins from this era have been found scattered across southeast England, finding a trove of this size and age is extremely rare. The local coinage at the time consisted of base metal coins known as ‘potins’, making the discovery of this large haul of gold coins even more significant. Importing such a collection of gold coins would have undoubtedly granted significant influence in the region to the lucky individual.
Specialists at the British Museum have determined that these artifacts were created by a group hailing from the region of Picardy in modern-day France around 150BC.
It’s likely that the artifacts were sent overseas as part of a trade for soldiers, gear, and hunting dogs to battle the Romans or rival tribes in Belgium. About two to three decades later, British coins of a similar design began to show up, specifically in the most affluent regions of England.
Discovering a hoard of such magnitude and era is something never seen before in the world of archaeology. Only one other hoard of three coins from the same period has been unearthed. The coins found show signs of wear and tear, indicating they were used before being buried, yet they still possess intricate details of a unique Iron Age artistic style.
Following the completion of the treasure process, Mr. Eldridge has decided to auction off the coins with the help of renowned coin specialists, Spink, based in London.
Analysis using scientific x-ray fluorescence testing has revealed that the coins contain around 75% gold along with an alloy of silver and copper. This indicates the economic environment in which the first gold coins in Britain were used.
There is speculation that the portraits on these coins were intentionally made to be androgynous, even though they were based on the classical male god Apollo. This feminine design may actually reflect the important role of women in Iron Age society, as seen through prominent historical figures like Cartimandua and Boudicca who have become part of our national folklore.
“It is so fulfilling to help with the accurate recording, scholarly study, and eventual sale of these valuable ancient artifacts.” After a coroner’s inquest, the British Museum decided to give up ownership of the coins, allowing them to go back to the person who found them. Mr. Eldridge plans to split the profits with the owner of the land where the coins were discovered. The coins are scheduled to be auctioned at Spink on Thursday.
