Unique Iron Age Hoard goes on display at Ipswich Museum
From May 3rd until June 10th, the Ipswich Museum is hosting a free sneak preview of 2,000-year-old Iron Age gold coins once belonging to Boudicca's Iceni tribe. The 200 coins on display are part of the Wickham Market hoard, discovered in 2008.
The Wickham Market hoard consists of 840 Iron Age gold coins which makes it the largest the largest hoard of its type found in Britain since 1849 (and is featured in our Top 10 Metal Detector Discoveries). Almost all of the coins belong to the Iceni tribe but five of them were 'issued' by a neighbouring tribe from Lincolnshire, the Corieltauvi. The hoard dates from between 20 BC and AD 20 – about 40 years before queen Boudicca led her famous revolt against the Romans, which saw the destruction of the Roman towns of Colchester, London and St Albans.
It is thought that the coins were buried by members of the Iceni tribe whose kingdom covered Norfolk, north Suffolk and parts of Cambridgeshire. It is unknown why they buried the coins. Possibly the 840 coins were an offering to the gods, yet more likely is that the treasure was buried for safe keeping in troubled times. In that period, Cunobelin, leader of the Hertfordshire based Catuvallauni, had already taken over the Trinovantes tribe of south Suffolk and Essex and were looking to expand into Iceni territory. His attempt was unsuccessful but it may have been enough to worry people living near to the tribal borders.
The Iron Age coins would not have been not used like money is today. The coins were a form of ‘portable wealth’, likely given to loyal warriors who served their tribal leaders. Each Iron Age tribe produced its own coins, complete with their own designs. Nowadays, archaeologists are able to plot tribal territories and understand the political landscape of Britain on the eve of the Roman invasion by tracking the spread of coin.
Caroline McDonald, Curator of Archaeology at the Ipswich Museum, is particularly excited by the ancient coins' arrival.
“Suffolk earth has revealed some of the nations most outstanding treasure finds in recent decades. The amazing Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo in 1939, the stunning silver Roman dinner service found at Mildenhall during World War II and more recently the Hoxne hoard of Roman coins and artefacts found in the 1990s. All of these finds are now in London at the British Museum. The opportunity to purchase the Wickham Market coin hoard is the first time we could retain a national treasure in Suffolk,” she points out.
“It will be far better appreciated and understood here and gives everyone in the county something to be proud of.”
The Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service has until the end of June to raise £300,000 to purchase the hoard from the Crown, and began the fund-raising process by applying to the country’s major funders of heritage and the arts. However, Caroline urges everyone to come and see the coins while they are on display at the Ipswich Museum.
“Colchester and Ipswich Museum has an outstanding record for fund-raising but until we raise all of the money this may be the only chance to see some of the hoard on display in Suffolk. This is our history at its finest so come and share in the excitement.”
Ipswich Museum, located in High Street, is open Tuesday to Saturday 10-5pm and visiting is free of charge. Currently, the museum isn't formally asking the public to contribute towards the purchase of the Wickham Market hoard, but if you do wish to help save this outstanding archaeological treasure for the nation and people of Suffolk, you can make a donation at the front desk.
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hello this is a real interesting article on forgeries
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Museum looks really great.
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There are really lots of secrets in Egypt. I'm sure this is going to cost millions in auction.
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The Iron Age coins would not have been not used like money is today. The coins were a form of ‘portable wealth’, likely given to loyal warriors who served their tribal leaders.. Its the same today.. our coins have no intrinsic metal value.. a euro or dollar is worthless metal..and will have a face value that is relative to its buying power... however silver or gold maple leafs have a face value of 5 and 50 dollars respectively.. however they are valed at 42 dollars and 1400 dollars.. it goes to show how money devalues when the acutual value of the metal sits in a buble.. it was the same then almost.. except rare metal coils would of kept their value.. sorry im rambling ..
Hi just going to ad my 2 peniths worth! (pun intended!) With the exception of freshly dug-up detector finds, cleaning or polishing your coins will do more harm than good. Once metal has been exposed to the air, it is natural for it to oxidize, or tone. If you strip the coin of this toning, not only will you lose any remaining mint luster, the coin will appear harsh and unappealing, and suffer microscopic abrasions that lower its grade. Plus, toned coins are worth more than stripped coins.
Wow, these are really incredible looking. I am so glad that they are on display for the world to see and I hope that millions if not everyone will get the opportunity to look at them.
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There was a horde locally that was a burries pot sort of a tracota pot filled to the brimm, it was on time team the otherday.,. what i found unreal was that ther emust of been 2000 coins it it.. i though because they were roman they mi8ust be worth alot.. it was revealed that they would of been worth in their day around 500 pounds! in equivalwent buying power today.,
<p>tracota pot filled to the brimm, it was on time team the otherday.,. what i found unreal was that ther emust of been.</p>
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<p>Museum has an outstanding record for fund-raising but until we raise all of the money this may be the only chance to see some of the hoard on display in Suffolk.</p>
I hope they are able to raise enough money to keep the coins. They belong there. Fascinating find.
<p>Nice post! I lovecollecting ancient coins which represents different ages history and how the countries had been ruled.</p>
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<p>Nice post! I lovecollecting ancient coins which represents different ages history and how the countries had been ruled.</p>
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I read about when it happened, really cool. I believe there was more reccent bundle of coins found in England that valued at something insane <a target="_blank" href="http://www.candy-games.com">games for girls</a>
<p> Wow, iron old coin? The coins were a form of ‘portable wealth’, likely given to loyal warriors who served their tribal leaders.. Its the same today.. our coins have no intrinsic metal value.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p>
<p>Gold coins that mark ancient history have become very valuable because they can not be found easily. Most people are not even aware of this fact. They need to get more information about these uncommon coins. Such coins were in the past minted and given to the people for the purpose of marking important historical events but now they are valuable collectors items all over the world the world . These coins carry historical memories of events that happened thousands of years ago, and history that has evolved over the years .</p>
<p>The coins have historical importance and were once issued to officers in particular events that happened in those countries many years ago which explains their value. You might find special designs on them that are easily identifiable .</p>
<p>I would like you to keep up the good work.You know how to make your post understandable for most of the people.I will definitely share it with others.Thanks for sharing.<br />
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<p>One of the best place to get information about ancient coins, this museum provides a plethora of information covering coin hoards, the origins of ancient coins, deciphering Roman inscriptions, and ancient mythology.</p>
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How much could that coins worth now?.....
Unique Iron Age hoard goes on display at Ipswich Museum is extremely valuable, like some other artifacts. I think the coins are also people can see what ancient civilization that produced it.
<p>As I was surfing the net I was luckily that I found your blog. Seems an interesting outcomes on your topic.</p>
<p>i would love to see the coins.</p>
<p>it is so nice that the coins have not gone into a private collection and that we are all</p>
<p>able to visit to see them</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I wonder if more coins are buried and waiting to be discovered.</p>
<p>This discovery no doubt will spark more finds from eager metal detector enthusiasts !</p>
<p><a href="http://monopneumoniasymptoms.com">bronchitis symptoms</a> I also would like to find the coins</p>
I like gold coin, btw how much for 1 gold coin now?
<p> Wow this is really amazing, Those gold coins are so old and still in great condition. I wonder how coins like these were forged in times like that. We need to protect these coins they are highly valued and a great historical importance to the world.</p>
<p> that is pretty amazing, mostly I love how much they look like minstrels and bits of broken chocolate. Money next looked so tastey</p>
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hey, it's my coin :lol,
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<p>Hi just going to ad my 2 peniths worth! (pun intended!) With the exception of freshly dug-up detector finds, cleaning or polishing your coins will do more harm than good. Once metal has been exposed to the air, it is natural for it to oxidize, or tone. If you strip the coin of this toning, not only will you lose any remaining mint luster, the coin will appear harsh and unappealing, and suffer microscopic abrasions that lower its grade. Plus, toned coins are worth more than stripped coins.
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<p>Wish I'd have found them, I live half a mile away from where they were found.</p>
<p>Findings are very Valuable, not just looking for a profit but Certainly can dig up more information.</p>
<p>If you strip the coin of this toning, not only will you lose any remaining mint luster, the coin will appear harsh and unappealing, and suffer microscopic abrasions that lower its grade. Plus, toned coins are worth more than stripped coins.</p>
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<p>hehhehe</p>
<p>thanks' very much for this article</p>
<p> thank's again for this share</p>
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how much the value of these coins very interesting but I think this coin for buy somethings in the past
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<p>its very good thinks</p>
<p>Hi just going to ad my 2 peniths worth! (pun intended!) With the exception of freshly dug-up detector finds, cleaning or polishing your coins will do more harm than good. Once metal has been exposed to the air, it is natural for it to oxidize, or tone. If you strip the coin of this toning, not only will you lose any remaining mint luster, the coin will appear harsh and unappealing, and suffer microscopic abrasions that lower its grade. Plus, toned coins are worth more than stripped coins.</p>
<p>nice infooo nechhhh</p>
<p>Mantappp</p>
I think this coin for buy somethings in the past
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