SAEDNEWS: Over Three Decades Ago, Thousands of Roman Gold and Silver Coins—Alongside a Trove of Jewels—Were Accidentally Unearthed on an Ordinary-Looking Farm in Suffolk, England; The Treasure Was Discovered by a Retired Gardener and Laborer.
According to the history service of Saed News, citing FaraDid, the Romans controlled Britain for over three and a half centuries. In AD 43, Emperor Claudius crossed the English Channel and faced fierce resistance from various Celtic tribes who ruled the region at the time. By AD 60, the Romans had quelled uprisings to consolidate their rule, but much of their time in Britain was spent battling the remaining stubborn warriors.
The long period of Roman occupation allowed Roman culture to flourish in Britain, leaving a legacy that can still be seen today. Roman artifacts and remnants are found throughout the country, but none have had the impact of what a metal detectorist named Eric Lacy discovered on a cold November day in 1992.
Eric Lacy and his wife, Greta, examine coins he found on a Suffolk farm.
The retired gardener, who had taken up treasure hunting as a hobby, uncovered the largest hoard of Roman gold and silver ever found in the entire Roman Empire up to that point. Ironically, he stumbled upon the treasure while searching for a lost hammer belonging to a friend.
In 1992, excavators were at work at the Hoxne site. The value of this find in today’s money is estimated at £24 million.
While scanning a Suffolk farm near Eye, Lacy’s detector picked up a corroded piece of metal that prompted him to start digging. Soon, he unearthed several silver spoons and gold coins.
Cleaning one of the discovered gold bracelets.
Realizing the significance of his find, Lacy immediately stopped digging and contacted the police and the local archaeological society. The next day, a full archaeological excavation was conducted by the Suffolk Archaeological Unit at the site.
Within a short time, they uncovered approximately 15,000 Roman coins in gold, silver, and bronze, along with countless pieces of jewelry. This became the largest collection of Roman artifacts ever discovered. Adjusted for inflation, the treasure’s value is estimated at £24 million.
The coin hoard discovered by Lacy numbered nearly 15,000 pieces.
A pepper pot shaped like a woman found during the excavation.
Ten months later, an official investigation declared the find a “treasure trove.” In November 1993, Lacy was awarded £1.75 million for the discovery, which he shared with Peter Watling—the friend who had lost the hammer.
Today, the treasure is preserved at the British Museum. Subsequent excavations and field surveys in the area have revealed even more Roman artifacts, including four gold coins and 81 silver coins.
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