Coins found by metal detectorist could sell for £20,000

A metal detectorist has unearthed a hoard of Celtic gold coins last seen when Julius Caesar was menacing the coast of Britain
-Credit: (Image: Cover Images)


A metal detectorist has unearthed a hoard of Celtic gold coins last seen when Julius Caesar was menacing the coast of Britain that could be worth as much as £20,000. The collection of 35 gold coins or staters that were discovered during a rally in Kent, along with nine fragments of a flint nodule, that has been reconstructed, are expected to fetch an estimated £20,000 when offered by Noonans Mayfair on Wednesday, September 18.

Retiree Tony Asquith, who made the find after 45 years of metal detecting , said: “It was amazing! The recent ploughing of the field must have brought the nodule to the surface, and broke it open, scattering its contents of coins.”

The nodule broke open and the coins poured out
The nodule broke open and the coins poured out -Credit:Cover Images



The coins, known as staters, date to around 55BC after Julius Caesar had conquered Gaul and made an abortive attempt to invade Britain. In the end, he turned back, and Britain would not be conquered by Rome until the reign of the Emperor Claudius - almost a Century later.

Nigel Mills, Coins and artefacts Specialist at Noonans explained how Tony made a find of such historical significance.
He added: “It was Friday, August 26th 2022, the opening morning of the Joan Allen Detecting Rally – a regular event that took place near Maidstone in Kent, that Tony Asquith, along with many other detectorists were hoping to find something of interest!

The coins were found in a recently ploughed field
The coins were found in a recently ploughed field -Credit:Cover Images



“Using his Minelab Equinox 800, Tony at first just found some wire and a shotgun cartridge. But then, he got a signal which revealed a brownish coin. He was surprised to recognise this as a Celtic stater. On looking down he saw what looked like a pile of chocolate buttons laid out. Putting on his glasses, Tony realised that they were all Celtic staters!”

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Detectorist Tony Asquith
Detectorist Tony Asquith -Credit:Cover Images



According to Mills, the coins all have a shallow domed obverse with a dished reverse that displays an abstract or devolved horse galloping to the right with a charioteer’s arm above. They were concealed within the flint nodule which was formed 90-70 million years ago. The hollow interior would originally have contained mud and the decayed remains of marine animals.

The coins could be worth as much as £20,000
The coins could be worth as much as £20,000 -Credit:Cover Images



The find is one of 11 hoards of Iron Age gold coins contained in flint nodules have been found in Britain, but all of the others are in museums.