An avid metal detector enthusiast has made a significant discovery of an ancient Roman coin cache after two decades of pursuing this hobby. Steve Dean, accompanied by his friends Glenn Church and Ed Denovan, uncovered around 400 valuable coins in a farmer’s field near Maidstone, Kent.
Believed to be approximately 1,800 years old, the coins are currently under evaluation by experts at the British Museum to determine their worth. For Mr. Dean, a 68-year-old security team member at the University of Kent, this find is a culmination of over 20 years of metal detecting, marking a milestone on his ‘bucket list.’
Both Mr. Church, 69, and Mr. Denovan, 70, had never encountered such a treasure trove before, despite their long history in metal detecting. Mr. Dean described the find as unexpected and rare, as only a few hoards are discovered each year, making it a significant achievement for most detectorists.
The trio made the discovery in a field near Maidstone, keeping the exact location undisclosed to prevent unauthorized individuals from exploiting the site. After an hour of searching, they stumbled upon several coins scattered across the field, eventually finding a substantial quantity of coins inside a damaged pot buried about 14 inches deep.
It is speculated that the scattered hoard resulted from the pot breaking during field ploughing, dispersing the coins across the area. Mr. Dean, who also served in the police force for 32 years, recognized the historical importance of their find and decided to seek professional help.
Archaeologists Dr. Andrew Richardson and Paul-Samuel Armour from Isle Heritage arrived promptly to excavate the coins before transporting them to the British Museum for further examination. Mr. Dean highlighted the significance of the hoard, indicating the presence of Romans in the area 1,800 years ago.
While it may take up to two years for the British Museum to assess the coins’ value, they will have the first opportunity to acquire the hoard. The proceeds from the sale will be distributed equally among the detectorists and the landowner where the discovery took place, showcasing a fair and collaborative approach to this remarkable find.