Shapwick Hoard, Roman silver coin collection at Museum of Somerset, England
The Shapwick Hoard is a large collection of nearly 10,000 Roman silver coins minted over almost 3 centuries. The coins are displayed in protective cases and show a variety of rulers and designs from this long period.
Hobby metal detectorists discovered the coins in 1998 by chance in Shapwick, Somerset, while searching at an ancient Roman estate. The find helped historians understand more about Roman presence and activities in this region of England.
The coins show the faces of Roman rulers and reveal how people conducted business and used money in daily life. Looking at the pieces, you can see which leaders held power and how they displayed their authority on currency.
The collection is displayed at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton Castle, open Tuesday through Saturday. Plan enough time to examine all the coins closely in the display cases, as this is quite a substantial collection.
The collection includes three rare Lycian drachmas never before found in Britain, making it an exceptional discovery. These foreign coins show that trade during Roman times reached across long distances.
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