The excavated hoard. Two gold torcs have been identified at the edge of the mass of coins.
Posted on 12/07/2014 7:21:52 PM PST by SunkenCiv
In June 2012 metal detectorists Reg Mead and Richard Miles uncovered a hoard of a staggering 70,000 late Iron Age and Roman coins. They were searching in Grouville in Jersey when they came across their incredible find that has since turned out to be the largest hoard ever found in the island.
The Hoard
The coins, which had fused into one solid mass, were found using a deep-scanning metal detector. They were searching the area after Reg and Richard had uncovered a smaller hoard of 120 coins the previous year. As soon as they realised the size of their find, they called in archaeologists from Jersey Heritage who spent several days excavating it under conditions of extreme secrecy.
The majority of the coins have a head on one side and a horse on the other. With so many coins in one location is would seem that there are far too many for them to have all belonged to one man. In total the hoard weighed several hundred kilos and it appears as if they simply dug down until they hit shale then poured the coins into the pit and covered it over with clay.
Some (Possible) Explanations
One possible explanation for the existence of this vast hoard of silver coins is that they were being hidden by Celtic tribesmen as Roman armies led by Julius Caesar advanced across Gaul in the first century BC. There would have been close links between the iron age farmers on the Channel Islands and the Celts on the mainland, so it could have been brought by boat either from nearby Normandy or Brittany.
(Excerpt) Read more at guernseydonkey.com ...
The excavated hoard. Two gold torcs have been identified at the edge of the mass of coins.
Seems like a good Digest ping, although a day late.
- Metal Detector Hobbyists Find Rare Heap Of Celtic Coins
- Two men using metal detectors discover hoard of 50,000 Iron Age Celtic coin
This is the first one listed, but the site was “connection refused” until now.
Archaeologists in Jersey find solid gold torc hidden in Celtic coin hoard
By Richard Moss | December 4, 2014
http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art508530-archaeologists-in-jersey-find-solid-gold-torc-hidden-in-celtic-coin-hoard
http://www.culture24.org.uk/asset_arena/3/25/80/508523/v0_master.jpg
http://www.culture24.org.uk/asset_arena/6/25/80/508526/v0_master.jpg
http://www.culture24.org.uk/asset_arena/8/25/80/508528/v0_master.jpg
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I used to work with a guy who was a real enthusiast with a metal detector. He had found a tremendous amount of coins, jewelry etc. He had found several class rings and returned them to their original owners.
I bought an expensive “Whites” detector but never found a thing except a few coins, mostly pennies and a good pocket knife. I gave it to my Son-in-Law and have no idea if he has been more successful.
I always enjoy seeing your threads, SunkenCiv...:)
:’) Thanks rlmorel!
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:sunkenciv/index?tab=articles
:)
That’s a shortcut to keep!
The Channel Islands are Crown territory but are not part of the UK. They are what was left of the Duchy of Normandy after the French ejected the British. Normandy had been a Crown possession since William the Conqueror.
The Channel Islands adopted banking laws modeled more on the Swiss than the British and became an "offshore banking" center. Indeed, they coined the word since they are offshore from the British mainland.
Yup. And of course, this new find proves that the one constant...
[long pause, because it’s all in the timing]
...is change.
Heh, thanks!!!
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