Roman coins go on display at Museum

Submitted by Sophie Cringle on Mon, 2009-07-20 14:25
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A hoard of Roman coins discovered at Alton Barnes in 2005 is going on permanent display at Wiltshire Heritage Museum on Saturday 25 July to mark the Festival of British Archaeology 2009.

Alton Barnes hoard The new display will consist of some of the 3,854 silver and bronze Roman coins discovered in the hoard, including two rare coins of the emperor Tetricus I (AD 271–4) and the original upright greyware jar in which they were buried. The jar, which when excavated was in 70 pieces, has been painstakingly reconstructed by staff at the Wiltshire Council Conservation Laboratory in Chippenham. In addition to the rare coins of the emperor Tetricus 1 – one a completely new type, and the other only previously known for gold coins – are examples of very short lived Roman emperors, such as Florian (AD 276) and even shorter lived usurpers such as Laelian (AD 269) and Marius (AD 269).

The coins, which are in particularly good condition, were originally reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme and declared as ‘Treasure’ by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. The Wiltshire Heritage Museum was able to purchase the hoard with assistance from the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Headley Trust and other donations, including from customers at the New Inn, Coate. The landowner and tenant generously waived their entitlement to a share of the reward, so reducing the purchase price.

Assistant Curator, Heather Ault says: This Roman coin hoard from Alton Barnes is particularly worthy of display and strengthens the Museum’s Roman coin collection and material in the Roman gallery enormously. The hoard has been catalogued and can be accessed via the Museum’s website.

The Museum is open 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and noon to 4pm on Sundays. Admission is free to children under 16 and on Sundays.

Notes

  • For further information about the hoard and display please contact Assistant Curator, Heather Ault on 01380 727369
  • The Museum and Library are mainly funded from private sources, although annual grants are received from Wiltshire Council and Devizes Town Council.
  • The Wiltshire Heritage Museum is owned by a registered charity, the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (WANHS). Founded in 1853, WANHS has dedicated itself to preserving the rich archaeological and historical treasures and records of Wiltshire, including the World Heritage Site of Avebury and Stonehenge.
  • The objects of WANHS are to educate the public by promoting, fostering interest in, exploration, research and publication on the archaeology, art, history and natural history of Wiltshire for the public benefit. To achieve this WANHS, apart from maintaining the Museum, Library and Art Gallery, mounts exhibitions; publishes an annual magazine, newsletters, reports, periodicals, books and other literature relevant to its activities; provides lectures and visits on topics and places of interest and operates an archaeological field group which encourages members to become actively involved in the archaeology of the county. There is also an education programme for children encouraging an appreciation of the county and its history.