In a remarkable archaeological find, George Ridgway, a 34-year-old archaeologist, uncovered a significant trove of over 680 gold and silver coins in September 2019 while conducting a metal detection search near Helmingham Hall in Suffolk, England. This discovery, which includes coins dating back to Julius Caesar and the Iron Age, has been hailed as one of the largest hoards of its kind found in Britain.
Ridgway's journey began when he noticed an unusual crop mark in a barley field, leading him to investigate the area, which is close to a known Roman road. Initially, he found two Roman brooches from the mid-first century A.D. and a silver coin from 46 B.C. His persistence paid off as he continued to search, ultimately discovering a total of 161 Roman silver coins within three hours.
As excavation continued, coins from the Iron Age king Cunobelin were also revealed, with some coins dating as early as 206 B.C. to the time of Emperor Claudius around 46-47 A.D. This collection not only enriches our understanding of the economic interactions during these historical periods but also showcases the preservation of artifacts in virtually untouched condition.
The auction of these coins took place on September 18, 2024, and garnered an impressive £132,865 (approximately $177,000), significantly surpassing the initial estimate of £75,000. A portion of the coins will be preserved in museums, including the British Museum, ensuring their historical significance is shared with the public.
Ridgway expressed his excitement over the find, stating, 'I knew I had made an important archaeological discovery.' He plans to celebrate this milestone by treating his father to a pint with his share of the auction proceeds.