Ancient British Coins Discovered in Dutch Field: A Link to Roman Conquest
A remarkable hoard of British coins bearing the name of Celtic King Cunobelinus has been unearthed in a Dutch field, shedding light on the Roman conquest of Britain. The discovery, made by amateur metal detectorists in Bunnik, near Utrecht, includes 44 gold staters and 360 Roman coins. Experts believe the hoard represents spoils of war brought back by a Roman soldier.The staters, featuring the name of Cunobelinus, who ruled south-east Britain between AD5 and AD40, are among the most significant finds of their kind in Europe. The hoard also includes Roman coins dating from 200BC to AD47, with the latest pieces minted under Emperor Claudius.
Analysis reveals the coins were likely buried in a cloth or leather pouch, less than 30cm beneath the soil, and were not selected for their quality or gold content. Instead, the mixed collection aligns with the timeline of Rome’s invasion of Britain under General Aulus Plautius (AD43-47).
Notably, 72 of the Roman coins are gold aurei, while 288 are silver denarii. Among them are coins from Julius Caesar's era and even one depicting Juba, the king of ancient Numidia. Together, the hoard represents a value equivalent to 11 years’ wages for a Roman soldier.
The discovery site, once a staging ground for the Roman invasion of Britain, appears to have also served as a retreat for returning troops. The hoard offers the first physical evidence linking Roman forces’ campaigns in Britain to their return to mainland Europe.
Archaeologists hailed the find as groundbreaking. Anton Cruysheer of the Utrecht Landscape and Heritage Foundation remarked, “This discovery provides new insights into the spoils and movement of Roman troops. It’s unprecedented.”
The coins are now on display at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, capturing the attention of historians and the public alike.
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