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West Bagborough Hoard

Coordinates: 51°05′N 3°11′W / 51.09°N 3.18°W / 51.09; -3.18
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51°05′N 3°11′W / 51.09°N 3.18°W / 51.09; -3.18

West Bagborough Hoard
Coins from the West Bagborough Hoard on display at the Museum of Somerset
MaterialSilver and hacksilver coins
Size681 coins
Period/cultureRomano-British
DiscoveredNear West Bagborough, Somerset, by James Hawkesworth in October 2001
Present locationSomerset County Museum, Taunton
Identification2001 (Fig 196)

The West Bagborough Hoard is a hoard of 670 Roman coins and 72 pieces of hacksilver found in October 2001 by metal detectorist James Hawkesworth near West Bagborough in Somerset, England.

Discovery, excavation and valuation

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The hoard was discovered by metal detectorist James Hawkesworth, a policeman from Bishops Lydeard.[1] No trace of buildings or other structures were found in the area.

Following a treasure inquest at Taunton, the hoard was declared treasure and valued at £40,650. Somerset County Museum Services acquired the hoard, with the aid of Somerset County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund,[2] and £16,400 from the Victoria and Albert Museum/Resource Purchase Grant Fund.[3] It is now displayed at the Museum of Somerset in the grounds of Taunton Castle.[2]

Items discovered

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The 681 coins included two denarii from the early 2nd century and eight miliarense and 671 siliqua all dating from the period AD 337 – 367, but including a large number of copies some silver and others from a copper alloy covered with silver sheet.[4] The latest coins indicate that the hoard was buried in circa AD 365. The majority were struck in the reigns of emperors Constantius II and Julian and derive from a range of mints including Arles and Lyons in France, Trier in Germany and Rome.[2] There were also 64 pieces of hacksilver,[5] weighing a total of 722gm.[6][7]

Reign Date No. of coins
Trajan 98-117 one
Marcus Aurelius 139-161 one
2nd century denarii two
Constantius II 307-363 603
Valentinian period 364-392 12
Uncertain 52

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Aroil 4th News". History Today. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "The West Bagborough Hoard". Newsletter Spring/Summer 2003. Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  3. ^ "Grants Listing: Towns & Cities S-Z". Purchase Grant Fund. Victoria and Albert Museum. Archived from the original on 28 May 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  4. ^ "Policeman digs up clues to ancient crime". BBC. 4 April 2002. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Roman coin hoard, West Bagborough". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Analysis of Coin Hoards from Roman Britain". FORVM Ancient Coins. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  7. ^ "196 West Bagborough, Somerset: 669 Roman silver coins" (PDF). Treasure Annual Report 2001. Department for Culture, Media and Sport. p. 97. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 September 2013.