First century silver Roman coin found in Shropshire is declared treasure trove
A First Century silver Roman coin uncovered on land in Shropshire has been declared treasure trove at an inquest.
The domitian denarius, dated 88AD, was discovered in Cockshutt by metal detectorist Alan Hughes, from Wrexham.
It has since caught the eye of experts based at the British Museum who confirmed what it was.
Shropshire coroner John Ellery told the hearing that the complete coin was among five retrieved from farmland on October 10 last year.
"It was detected on arable land at a depth of 10cms. The find comprised five silver denarii," Mr Ellery explained.
The other items were two Trajan complete coins and a fragment dated between AD103 and AD111. A fifth coin was identified as an Hadrian coin dated AD112 to AD138.
Qualify
"The discovery of the silver denarii so close together suggests they came from the dispersal of a hoard," said Mr Ellery.
"All five qualify as treasure. If there was no museum interest then they can be disclaimed and no inquest would be required. If that is the case they are returned to the finder and the landowner for them to decide what to do with them."
"In this case one of the coins is of interest to the British Museum. Out of these five coins all are capable of being treasure.
"However, four are disclaimed," Mr Ellery said.
But he declared that the domitian coin was treasure trove.
The inquest heard that the coins were reported to Dr Susie White, finds officer at the Portable Antiquities Scheme in North Wales who arranged for them to be examined.
"The coins were then sent to the British Museum for expert analysis. That revealed they were Roman coins," Mr Ellery told the inquest held at Shire Hall, Shrewsbury, on Wednesday.
Earlier this year five silver groats and a fragment, dated between 1351 and 1377, and found in 2013 in the Llanyblodwel area of Mid Wales were declared treasure and were due to be displayed at Powysland Museum in Welshpool.
In 2011 three hoards of medieval coins dating from the 13th to 17th centuries were declared treasure trove after being discovered in Baschurch and on land near Oswestry.
