Insights

In August 2022, a pensioner named Tony Asquith discovered a hoard of Celtic coins while metal detecting in a ploughed field in Lenham, Kent. Initially mistaking the coins for chocolate buttons, he later realized they were valuable Celtic staters dating back to 55 BC, a period when Julius Caesar was alive. The coins were found inside a flint nodule that had broken open during the ploughing process, scattering the coins across the field. Tony used a Minelab Equinox 800 metal detector, which first revealed some wire and a shotgun cartridge before leading him to the significant find. Upon cleaning the coins, he noted their distinctive design, featuring a horse and charioteer's arm. This discovery is part of a larger trend, as 2022 saw a record number of treasure finds in England and Wales, with 1,378 discoveries reported. The definition of treasure in the UK has evolved, now including objects that are at least 200 years old and made of metal, which has contributed to the increase in finds. The Treasure Act of 1996 has played a crucial role in this, as it has encouraged more people to engage in metal detecting, leading to a significant rise in the number of items classified as treasure over the years. Tony's find is particularly noteworthy as it adds to the historical narrative of Iron Age gold coins in Britain, with only ten other similar hoards previously discovered, all of which are housed in museums. This discovery not only highlights the potential for further archaeological finds but also emphasizes the importance of metal detecting as a hobby that can yield significant historical treasures.