Shrewsbury Hoard

The Shrewsbury Hoard is a collection of about 9,300 bronze coins from Roman times, discovered inside a large pottery vessel. These coins date from the 4th century and display the variety of denominations that circulated in late Roman commerce.

The coins were minted between 313 and 335 AD, a period spanning the reign of Constantine and the rule of his successors. This era brought major changes to Roman currency and governance systems.

The deposit shows how ordinary people in late Roman times gathered and kept money for safekeeping or future use. The way the coins were layered in the pottery vessel reveals a personal decision to preserve wealth over a period of several years.

The collection is displayed at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery in the Roman gallery section and can be viewed by visitors. Take time to examine the different coin types and how they were arranged in the vessel to understand the story behind the deposit.

Metal remains and cloth fragments found in the vessel suggest the coins were originally kept in a bag or pouch. This indicates the deposit may have been left as a deliberate act of hiding or offering rather than accidental loss.