Investigating the coin hoard
The hoard was lifted in a block of soil and taken to the
museum’s conservation labs, where it was carefully excavated.
The coins are made of silver diluted with copper. As they
corroded, the copper created a toxic environment inside the pot.
This preserved organic remains which would normally be eaten by
bacteria – bracken which lined the pot, a leather pouch, and even a
tiny piece of string!
The hoard contained 317 coins. The latest dated to AD 196, the
reign of the emperor Septimius Severus. This gives a clue about why
the hoards were buried – but first, let’s continue the search
back in the trench.
Left: Coins in broken pot.
Middle: The hoard pot, with the remains of bracken and
leather.
Right: Can you see the curved lines on the coin? We think this
is a fingerprint from the last owner.