TREASURE FINDS INCLUDE ROMAN GOLD AND SILVER COINS

Gold solidus of Emperor Theodosius I

A hoard of Roman gold and silver coins, described by an expert as a "lucky" find, have been discovered in Norfolk.

The gold solidus, found by a metal detector enthusiast in a field near Norwich, is thought to have been dropped or buried circa AD 410.

Adrian Marsden, a coin expert based at Norwich Castle Museum, said: "We see very few Roman gold coins. It would have a spending power of about £1,000."

"We see very few Roman gold coins, just two or three a year if we're lucky. It could be a purse loss, or there's always the chance they are part of a much bigger pot."

Items also declared treasure by Norfolk's assistant deputy coroner David Osborne included an Anglo-Saxon silver pin found in Scoulton, a Middle Bronze Age Gold Bead discovered in Salthouse and a hoard of 59 silver Roman coins that date from the Roman Republic to Tiberius, the second emperor of Rome.

A medieval gold pendant found in Foxley and a medieval silver seal matrix unearthed in Sustead, near Cromer, were also declared treasure.

"Medieval 13-14th Century seal matrices are not unusual finds, although they are more commonly found in copper alloy and lead than silver and consist of an inscription around a central image.

"They often bear the name of the owner and sometimes other information such as the name of their father or a surname - for example 'Seal of Joan daughter of William' or 'Seal of Marriott Good'.

"Others, like this one, have appropriate but non-personal inscriptions, for example lel ami avet - you have a loyal friend. Religious inscriptions were also popular."

To read the complete article, see: Roman gold coin revealed in 'lucky' Norfolk treasure find (www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-22346772)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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