A Rare Roman Coin Unearthed in a UK Field Has Fetched Nearly £5,000 at Auction

The golden relic—identified as an aureus, a high-purity Roman coin—was discovered by 76-year-old Ron Walters

A rare Roman coin, discovered by a 76-year-old British retiree with a metal detector, has sold for nearly £5,000 at auction, reports

The golden coin, identified as an aureus from the Roman Empire, was unearthed by Ron Walters, a retired engineer from Kingswinford, West Midlands, during one of his routine outings. The coin is estimated to date back to the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who ruled from AD 161 to 180.

Roman coins like the aureus were typically valued at 25 silver denarii, which were the standard coins used in Roman times for smaller transactions.

It is stated that the aureus had an exceptionally high gold content, at more than 99%, and was in excellent condition despite its age.

Coins from the period of Marcus Aurelius are highly collectible by numismatists and historians.

The Roman aureus was a gold coin used in the Roman Republic and Empire from 1st century BC to the early 4th century AD.

It was introduced by Roman general Marcus Junius Balivarris in 1st century BC during the final stages of the Republic. The aureus was valued at 25 silver denarii.

Coins from this era are highly collectible, especially those featuring emperors like Marcus Aurelius, who was renowned for his philosophy and leadership during a turbulent period of Roman history.

Such coins provide valuable information about the economic, political, and social aspects of Roman society.

In addition to coins, other Roman artefacts are frequently unearthed in Britain by hobbyist metal detectorists, who play a crucial role in expanding historical records.

These finds are reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (Finds.org.uk), which is part of Historic England and aims to document historical objects discovered in England and the Channel Islands.

The Roman coin was auctioned by Hansons Auctioneers, based in the Midlands and renowned for handling historical artefacts and valuables.

It was initially expected to sell for between £2,500 and £3,500 but quickly attracted competitive bids, eventually realizing £4,800.

Coins from the Roman era are highly sought-after by collectors, especially those in excellent condition and with interesting historical provenance.

Gold coins from this period, like the aureus, are particularly valuable due to the rarity of the metal and the craftsmanship involved in their manufacture.

According to the British Museum, Roman coins served not only as a medium of exchange but also as instruments of imperial propaganda and messaging.

Coins were often struck with the image and legend of the reigning emperor, along with symbols and figures that conveyed the emperor's policies, ideology, and the political and religious climate of the time.

The Treasure Act 1996, which regulates the discovery of historical artefacts in England, classifies gold and silver coins over 300 years old as "treasure."

This status requires the find to be reported to the local coroner, who will then decide on its status and ownership.

In cases of coins or coins in hoards, a designated finds liaison officer appointed by the British Museum will assess the objects and provide expert opinion.

If an object is deemed to have outstanding historical importance, it may be selected for the British Museum’s permanent collection.

Mr. Walters's discovery is part of a broader tradition of citizen involvement in archaeology. In recent times, several significant historical finds have been unearthed by members of the public, Historical artefacts are routinely unearthed in Britain by hobbyist metal detectorists, who play a crucial role in expanding historical records.

These finds are reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (Finds.org.uk), which is part of Historic England and aims to document historical objects discovered in England and the Channel Islands. Metal detectorists are required to report any finds to the scheme, which creates a valuable archive of historical data.

Recently, a significant hoard of 748 gold and silver coins was discovered by metal detectorist in the grounds of Helmingham Hall in Suffolk.

The coins, which date back to the Roman occupation of Britain and the Anglo-Saxon period, were found in an excellent state of preservation.

Another notable find was the Bylston Hoard, discovered in 2022 by a metal detectorist in a field near the village of Bylston in Shropshire.

The hoard, which is estimated to be worth around £100,000, consists of 663 Anglo-Saxon coins and two ingots.

These discoveries highlight the role that members of the public can play in expanding historical knowledge.

The Historical монетыare routinely unearthed in Britain by hobbyist metal detectorists, who play a crucial role in expanding historical records.

These finds are reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (Finds.org.uk), which is part of Historic England and aims to document historical objects discovered in England and the Channel