A rare Roman coin, believed to be the first of its kind discovered in the United Kingdom, has sold for nearly £5,000 at auction. The gold piece, dating back to AD69, was unearthed by metal detectorist Ron Walters in a field near Dudley, West Midlands, last year.
The coin was purchased by a collector from Scotland for £4,700 at Fieldings Auctioneers in Stourbridge on Friday. Auctioneer Mark Hannam described the buyer as “very pleased to add it to his collection,” despite the coin having spent more than 1,900 years buried in the soil.
A Rare Discovery from the “Year of the Four Emperors”
The coin features the likeness of Emperor Aulus Vitellius, a Roman ruler whose reign lasted just eight months during a tumultuous period of civil war, known as the “Year of the Four Emperors.” Experts believe it is the only example of its kind ever found in the British Isles, making it a significant historical discovery.
“To find a coin from AD69 is incredibly rare,” said Mr. Hannam. “Most coins discovered in this country date from the third and fourth centuries, but this one hails from an era when gold purity was at its highest.”
The Thrill of the Find
Mr. Walters, 76, from Kingswinford, has been metal detecting for years but described this find as a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. The sale proceeds will be split with the farmer on whose land the coin was found, in line with UK detecting customs.
“It’s not just the money; it’s the historic value,” Walters said ahead of the auction. “Holding something like that in your hand is special. It connects you directly to history.”
Despite its rarity and historical importance, the coin sold for significantly less than a similar artefact auctioned in Switzerland last year, which fetched around £50,000. Nevertheless, Walters expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.
“Anything’s a bonus,” he told BBC Radio WM. “Most of the time, what you find just goes into a collection because it isn’t worth selling.”
Funding Future Discoveries
Walters plans to use his share of the proceeds to carry out repairs on his motorhome, ensuring he can continue his metal-detecting hobby. For him, the excitement lies in unearthing relics from the past, regardless of their monetary value.
“It’s surprising what comes up – not just coins,” he said. “Belt buckles, buttons – they’ve all got a story to tell.”
His find has once again highlighted the potential for amateur detectorists to make significant historical discoveries. While most searches turn up common items, the rare finds offer a glimpse into history and provide collectors with valuable additions to their collections.
The sale of the coin marks another chapter in the long tradition of treasure-hunting in the UK, reinforcing the importance of preserving historical artefacts and sharing them with the world.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
