Collection of Roman coins unearthed by metal detectorist in Barton Bendish is classified as treasure

A metal detectorist found a hoard of coins which were used throughout the Roman period.

Colin Cole unearthed a total of 16 ancient Roman coins while metal detecting on a piece of land in Barton Bendish.

He made the discoveries between June 1, 2022 and November 30, 2023. A treasure inquest into Mr Cole’s discoveries took place at Norfolk Coroner’s Court last Friday.

The selection of coins varies in age, with the oldest being from Caius Serveilius, Rome, in 57 BC.

The coins depict a range of faces and Roman figures. They cover a period from the Roman Republic, 57BC through to the emperor Marcus Aurelius in 176AD.

The collection is currently with Norfolk County Council and includes coins from the Caius Serveilius, Vespasian, Domitian, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Diva Faustina and Marcus Aurelius eras.

Assistant coroner Johanna Thompson ruled that the collection of coins is classified as treasure.