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2,500-year-old coins discovered in a desk in Kent

2,500-year-old coins discovered in a desk in Kent

2,500-year-old coins discovered in a desk in Kent


Mangalore Today News Network

Nov 07, 2017: An ‘exceptionally important’ collection of rare coins as far back as ancient Rome has been found in a drawer in Kent.


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The stash of coins dating back 2,500 years was left to gather dust in a desk at Scotney Castle, owned by the National Trust.

Nobody knew it was there, and it was only discovered by volunteers looking for photographs at the 14th century building in Lamberhurst, near Tunbridge Wells.

The unique hoard of 186 coins from as far away as China and Syria is believed to have been amassed by collector Edward Hussey III and his son Edwy in the 19th century.

Coins in the collection date back to seventh century BC Greece and ancient Rome.

Nathalie Cohen, National Trust archaeologist, said: ‘We know that Edward and Edwy Hussey had a great interest in collecting, but this  considerable cache of fascinating coins shows just how much their interest grew into a collection of exceptional importance.

‘What is a mystery though is why a collection of this calibre ended up at the back of a drawer.’

The Husseys are thought to have gathered the trove between the 1820s and 1890s with an 1823 entry from Edward’s diary showing prices of four to seven shillings and six pence paid for some coins.

In one note from 1883 Edwy reveals he ‘went to the British Museum with papa as he wanted to ask about some coins’.

The majority of the collection features Roman coins from the late second century BC to the fourth century AD.

The National Trust believes the father and son may have been trying to amass a complete cache of Roman rulers.

A set from the first century is just one short of the full complement of ancient emperors.

Experts from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) believe 18 of the coins are rare examples.

Julian Bowsher, a MOLA coin specialist, said the find was ‘significant and diverse’.

‘A particular highlight was seeing Roman coins that rarely appear in Britain, such as those of the third century emperors Balbinus, Pupienus and Aemilian, none of whom ruled for more than a year,’ he added.

A coin from the Greek island of Aegina is one of the earliest struck in Europe and features sea turtle, a creature sacred to Aphrodite.

Dating from between 600 and 550 BC it is the only Greek-origin coin at Scotney Castle.

A Welsh penny coin, forged in 1787, features a druid and is inscribed with the words ‘We promise to pay the bearer one penny, 1787’.

The coins are being displayed to the public in a new exhibition, Inside the Collection, commemorating 10 years since the National Trust opened Scotney Castle. The exhibition runs until February 4 between 11am and 3pm.


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