COIN HOARD

All of the coins are British Iron Age gold staters that would have been produced between about 60 and 50 BC. These coins are therefore roughly contemporary with the invasions of Britain by Julius Caesar (in 55 and 54 BC). Three different types of coin are represented: 'British B' or 'Chute' types, 'British LA' or 'Whaddon Chase' types (which are in fact named after the earlier hoard mentioned above) and 'British QB' types. The find can, therefore, be summarised as follows:

References to published examples:

VA = R Van Arsdell, Celtic Coinage of Britain (London, 1989)

BM = R Hobbs, British Iron Age Coins in the British Museum (London, 1996)

Date and Metal Content

The coins satisfy the terms of the Treasure Act with regard to age and metal content. They are certainly more than 300 years old and coins of this type that have been subjected to metallurgical analysis have precious metal contents in excess of the 10% threshold.

Of the same find?

The type of coin and the circumstances of discovery, as reported, suggest that the group outlined above formed part of a single hoard buried together in antiquity. Furthermore, we can be almost certain that the present find is related to the 'Whaddon Chase hoard' of 1849. Early accounts of this hoard suggest that it was found at 'Little Horwood', giving it the same findspot as the present find. Although the details of the original Whaddon Chase hoard are inaccurately recorded, as many discoveries of that period were, it is clear that the coins were similar to the current finds. Estimates of its size vary from 450 to 2000 coins, most of which seem to have been the British L and Q types, that also appear in the present find. It is most likely that the current find is part of the original hoard or hoards that remained undiscovered at the time.

Conclusion

I conclude that the 73 coins presented here constitute a prima facie case of treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act (1996).

Ian Leins, Curator of Iron Age and Roman Coins, Department of Coins and Medals, British Museum. 31 May 2007