Local treasure find goes on display

Remember the story about a large hoard of Roman coins being found locally by an enthusiast with a metal detector back in 2011? Well, the 'treasure' has been put on public display for us all to enjoy!

The Montgomery find, coupled with a similar discovery near Guilsfield, has led experts to declare the Welshpool area as one of considerable affluence and wealth towards the end of the Roman period.

A total of 4,854 coins (pictured), dated between 238AD and 274 AD,  were found in a field by Adrian Simmons, of Welshpool, who was told he could keep the coins by the Powys Coroner after the land owner had given permission for him to hunt for treasure.

Mr Simmons said he found some coins loose in the field before discovering a pot full close by. He covered them overnight and contacted the Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust which recovered them the next day.

Powysland Museum has now purchased the coins thanks to grants from the V&A Purchase Grant, The Headley Trust and the Art Fund and they are on display at the Welshpool museum.

“The discovery of such a large hoard of Roman coins is a matter of considerable significance and the circumstances of the find and its subsequent reporting are an example of how metal detector enthusiasts and archaeologists can work together,” said Eva Bredsdorff, Powysland Museum Curator.

“As a result of the archaeological investigations which followed the discovery, there is now some evidence which makes it possible to view the hoard not just as an individual feature, but helps to place it in a wider context.

“According to the numismatic expert from the National Museum Wales the hoard is one of the finest of the period from Wales and includes a number of rarities. Seen in context with another significant local hoard from the 4th century found not far away at Guilsfield the two hoards prove that there was clearly a degree of prosperity in the area during the later Roman period.”