In November 2007, during a routine archaeological excavation in advance
of building work in Beau Street, Bath (a stone’s throw from the famous Roman Baths
themselves), archaeologists came upon what was clearly a very large
number of coins contained within a cist (a stone-lined box). Upon
further excavation, they quickly came to realise they were looking at one of the largest coin hoards found in the UK,
representing quite a tumultuous time in Roman Britain – about AD 270.
In order to preserve its shape and context, the archaeologists cut
around the hoard and lifted it in a soil block.
The
initial report was posted in May of 2012. Last week there was a
followup, with some post-conservation photos and data.
We have been able to sort and count seven of the eight Roman money bags
contained within the hoard – one is still undergoing conservation. The
total so far is 14,646 coins, but as the final bag is large we expect
this to go up to over 16,000 coins...
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