West Bagborough Hoard, Roman coin collection at Museum of Somerset, England
The West Bagborough Hoard is a collection of Roman silver coins and raw silver pieces from the fourth century, now displayed at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton Castle. The coins originated from multiple European mints and span roughly three decades during the later Roman period.
The hoard was discovered in Somerset in 2001 and dates from between 337 and 367 AD, a period when the Roman Empire experienced significant political turmoil. The coins were gathered during an era of economic uncertainty as imperial control weakened across distant provinces.
The coins reveal how Roman currency circulated in Britain and connected local communities to the wider empire's economy. The different mints represented show trade connections that linked this remote province to financial centers across Europe.
The complete collection is on display at the Museum of Somerset inside Taunton Castle and can be visited during the museum's regular hours. It is helpful to check the museum's website before your visit to confirm current opening times and any special exhibitions.
Roughly 52 of the coins are ancient counterfeits, made by coating copper alloy cores with a thin layer of silver. These pieces reveal that coin forgery was a recognized problem even in the later Roman period.
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