Somerset Coin Hoard

I was listening to Dr Roger Bland of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) talking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the discovery of a major hoard of Roman coins. The deposit of some 52,000 coins was found near Frome in Somerset back in April by Dave Crisp from Wiltshire ("Huge Roman coins find for hobbyist", BBC July 8, 2010). The hoard would have weighed some 160 kg. News of the find has been discussed elsewhere (e.g. Paul Barford, ""Largest UK Roman coin Hoard" found", June 2, 2010).

Anna Booth, the local finds liaison officer is quoted:

Because Mr Crisp resisted the temptation to dig up the coins, it has allowed archaeologists from Somerset County Council to carefully excavate the pot and its contents.

Further details of the hoard can be read on the PAS website and images here.

The hoard will be discussed in a BBC Programme, "Digging for Britain", due to be broadcast in August 2010.