A magnificent hoard of Roman and Late Iron Age coins have been unearthed in an English cave, having been hidden there more than 2,000 years ago.
 The coins may yet be brought to auction |
The buried treasure was found by a passing member of the public in the Peak District, with the find triggering a full excavation.
With the help of archaeologists, 26 coins have been found in all - with three of them Roman and dating to before the invasion of Britain (AD 43).
Twenty other gold and silver pieces were also found, thought to have been created by the Corieltauvi tribe of ancient England.
Archeologists believe this is the first time Roman and Iron Age coins have been found buried together, with the owner undoubtedly a wealthy figure.
 Reynard's Kitchen Cave is situred in the Peak District, Derbyshire, and has been a popular walking destination for years |
"The coins would suggest a serious amount of wealth and power of the individual who owned them," commented National Trust archaeologist Rachael Hall.
"Coins were used more as a symbol of power and status during the Late Iron Age, rather than for buying and selling staple foods and supplies. Was an individual simply hiding his 'best stuff' for safe keeping? Or, perhaps speculating, in the hope that the value would increase in the future, like a modern-day ISA?"
The coins will certainly have risen in value by now, with ancient Roman coins popular among collectors.
In 2010, a collection of 50,000 Roman and Celtic coins was discovered on the Channel Island of Jersey and valued at over ?�10m.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a magnificent collection of rare coins for sale.
