Cache of Iron Age Coins Discovered in England

Archaeology ^ | Wednesday, March 14, 2018 | editors

[SunkenCiv]

CHIDDINGSTONE, ENGLAND -- Kent Live reports that a hoard of gold coins was discovered by a metal detectorist in a farmer’s field in southeast England. The ten coins are thought to have been minted in northern France about 2,000 years ago. The Gauls may have used the coins to pay or bribe mercenaries to fight against Julius Caesar. Archaeologist Claire Donithorn of the Eden Valley Museum said the coins are being held at the British Museum, but may be returned to the local area. "They date from precisely the time when Britain emerged from prehistoric to historic times," she said. "Our aim is to keep the hoard together and to ensure that it stays in the valley for us and for future generations."

[SunkenCiv]

Brtain, not Egypt or Greece — prehistoric means, before writing.

I’d have quibbled with this because Celtic Ogham was quite clearly in use before the Romans got to Britain.

[colorado tanker]

The coin looks Celtic to me. Very characteristic curves and patterns. I’m guessing the Gauls minted it before the conquest.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

I never understood how coins worked back in ancient times. Why weren’t they considered worthless being that they weren’t backed up by anything? I would think trade would be more valuable. Say you sell a bunch of animal skins to somebody and they give you coins, what are you going to do with the coins when you make your living from hunting, gathering, trapping, and growing crops? It’s not like they had Viking grocery stores