Roman coin that is believed to be the first of its kind found in the UK has sold for nearly £5,000

Ron Walters, 76, from Kingswinford, West Midlands, found the coin with his metal detector in Wall Heath near Dudley last year.

A Roman coin that is believed to be the first of its kind found in the UK has sold for nearly £5,000.

The coin, which dates to AD69, is thought to be the only one of its kind to be found in the British Isles.

It portrays the emperor Aulus Vitellius, who ruled for just eight months during a period of civil war known as the “Year of the Four Emperors”.

Mark Hannam, a specialist in coins, medals and tokens at Fieldings Auctioneers in Stourbridge, said the coin was bought by a collector from Scotland on Friday.

“It sold for £4,700, which is less than we expected,” he said.

“But considering it has been in the soil for over 1,900 years, he’s very pleased to add it to his collection.”

The coin was unearthed last year by Ron Walters, 76, from Kingswinford, West Midlands, who was searching a field in Wall Heath near Dudley with his metal detector.

The farmer on whose land the coin was unearthed will keep half the proceeds from the sale and Mr Walters, as the finder, will get the rest.

“It’s not just the money, it’s the historic value,” he said before the sale.

“Coins like this are part of history and they are amazing to hold in your hand.

“It’s a once in a lifetime find.”

The coin went for considerably less than the only other similar artefact to go under the hammer, which was sold last year in Switzerland for around £50,000.

But Mr Walters said he was happy with the sale.

“Anything’s a bonus,” he said.

“Normally the things that you find, you put in your collection because they are not worth selling on.”

He is planning to put the proceeds towards some repairs to his motorhome - and to continue with his metal-detecting hobby.

“It’s surprising what comes up - not just coins, it can be anything,” he said.

“Belt buckles, buttons - they’ve all got a story to tell.”