ROMAN coins, a gold ring and a silver brooch found under South Oxfordshire farmland are among artefacts to be offered to the county’s museums.

Two coin hoards, some dating back to the third century, were among five discoveries by people using metal detectors which were subject of treasure inquests at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court yesterday.

Coroner Darren Salter ruled the artefacts as treasure and they will now be offered for sale to the Oxfordshire Museums Service.

Among the finds were a hoard of 51 Roman silver coins – believed to be up to two months’ wages for unskilled workers – from between 208AD and 270AD near Wallingford and 26 bronze coins from between 317AD and 329AD in a nearby field.

Amateur archaeologists also unearthed a silver-gilt 10th century coin that had been adapted into a brooch near Wantage.

Oxford Mail:

A 17th century gold ring, above, with the engraved words “Let no calamity separat amity” was found in Newington, near Dorchester, and a pair of 17th century silver cufflinks were discovered in Chesterton, near Bicester.

The artefacts were reported through the British Museum’s portable antiquities scheme (PAS) used for recording archaeological artefacts found by members of the public.

Proceeds from sales to museums will be split between the finders and landowners of the sites where they were unearthed.

 

 

 

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