Metal detectorist Paul Cannon makes the 'find of a lifetime' after discovering a 1,900-year-old Roman coin in a field

Speaking further about the find that trumps his two decades of searching, Paul added: "I have been visiting the same field for more that 20 years and have discovered a few Roman and Medieval coins – but this is my most exciting find so far!"

A metal detectorist has unearthed a rare Roman coin, minted nearly 1,900 years ago, that depicts the goddess of money and the tools used to mint coins.

Paul Cannon, from North Yorkshire, made the incredible discovery while searching a field in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Speaking further about the find that trumps his two decades of searching, Paul added: "I have been visiting the same field for more that 20 years and have discovered a few Roman and Medieval coins – but this is my most exciting find so far!"

The ancient coin, dating back to 107 AD and minted under Emperor Trajan, boasts a depiction of Juno Moneta, the goddess associated with money, as well as imagery of minting tools on its surface.

Nigel Mills, Coins and Artefacts Specialist at Noonans, exclaimed: "The coin was issued by the Emperor Trajan in AD 107 after he had recalled all the worn Republican coins from circulation.

"Only two examples of this specific type have been recorded for sale in the last 25 years. Some of the coins in circulation dated back over 300 years and they provided a historical record of the achievements of the Roman Empire.

"Trajan issued a limited number of coins which recalled some of the events from the past. This coin uses the same imagery as an issue by the moneyer Titus Carisius in 46 BC.

"Titus was an ally of Julius Caesar, and this design features a bust of Juno Moneta on the obverse, with pincers, hammer and dies for striking coins on the reverse. A coin showing how a coin is made!"