Rights Holder: The British Museum
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Unique ID: ESS-76DCE8
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
Seven gold and debased Iron Age gold coins were found by metal detector users taking part in an organised metal detecting holiday in February/March 2013. The reported findspot was to the south of Colchester. The coins are described below, together with their reported dates of discovery.
The Coins
The assemblage comprises seven coins of three basic types. The first type is the so-called "Gallo-Belgic DC" gold quarter stater (nos. 1, 6-7 below). This type is usually thought to have been made on the Continent, in modern NW France, in the mid-first century BC. Despite its probable Continental origins, the type is commonly found in SE England, particularly in the Essex area. The second type is the so-called "Gallo-Belgic E" gold stater (no. 2 below), which was of similar date and origin to the Gallo-Belgic DC. It is also commonly found in the UK. The third type, the so-called "Clacton" or "British G" gold or debased gold stater (nos. 3-5 below), was produced in Essex and was broadly contemporary with the imported coins.
"Gallo-Belgic DC" gold quarter stater, ABC 40. 1.49g/10.3mm. Found: 10/03/2013
"Gallo-Belgic E" gold stater, ABC 16. 6.27g/17.7mm. Found: 25/02/2013
"British G" or "Early Clacton" (debased) gold stater, ABC 2329. 4.80g/19.8mm. Found: , 25/02/2013
"British G" or "Clacton Original" (debased) gold stater, ABC 2326. 4.70g/19.1mm. Found: "February-March 2013"
Cut quarter of "British G" or "Clacton" (debased) gold stater, ABC 2326 or 2329. 1.15g/10.5mm. Found: "February-March 2013"
"Gallo-Belgic DC" gold quarter stater, ABC 40. 1.47g/10.4mm. Found: 25/02/2013
"Gallo-Belgic DC" gold quarter stater, ABC 40. 1.43g/9.6mm. Found: 25/02/2013
ABC = Cottam et al, Ancient British Coinage (Aylsham, 2010).
Discussion
The reported find consists of more than two precious metal coins (even the debased gold staters (nos. 3-5) are likely to far exceed the 10% threshold detailed by the Treasure Act). The types and reported circumstances of discovery suggest that the coins listed above would have formed a single deposit, or a series of related deposits, at the time of their deposition in antiquity.
Notes:
In my opinion this coin constitutes a prima facie case of treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act (1996).
Subsequent action after recording: Declared Treasure but returned to Finder as Museum unable to acquire
Treasure case tracking number: 2013T141
Broad period: IRON AGE
Period from: IRON AGE
Period to: IRON AGE
Quantity: 7
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Treasure case number: 2013T141
Primary material: Gold
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.