Shropshire Roman coins could go on display

One of the largest hauls of Roman coins ever discovered in Shropshire could go on display as a permanent exhibition at Shrewsbury's new £10 million heritage visitor centre, experts said today.

The collection of more than 10,000 coins, most of which were found inside a pot, was uncovered by Nick Davies from Ford during a search of land in the Shrewsbury area last summer.

Metal detector enthusiast Mr Davies unearthed the coins - buried underground for almost 1,700 years - on his first ever treasure hunt.

Peter Reavill, finds liaison officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which records archaeological finds made by the public, said the hope was that the coins would go on display at the redeveloped Music Hall in Shrewsbury when it opened in November next year.

If Shropshire Council was unable to afford to buy the exhibit, a fund may need to be launched to bring it home to the county.

The British Museum have been awarded cash for a technical separation of the coins which are corroded together in the pot.