Dad coins it in with Roman find

3:58pm Thursday 26th July 2007

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A FATHER-OF-TWO is set make thousands of pounds after discovering a significant hidden hoard of 2000-year-old Roman treasure in a Gwent field.

Amateur archaeologist Brian Stephens, 45, made the astonishing discovery of 599 Roman coins in a pasture field near his home in Llanvaches, just outside Newport.

Experts from the National Museum of Wales have dated the coins, which were discovered in June last year, around AD 160. They are believed to be one of the largest second century silver coin hoards recorded from Roman Britain.

The discovery was revealed at Newport Coroner's Court yesterday, where Gwent coroner David Bowen declared the find "treasure".

This means Mr Stephens can split the money from the sale of the treasure with the land owners.

The National Museum of Wales now hopes to acquire and exhibit the treasure after it is valued by the Independent Treasure Valuation Committee. It is believed the find could be worth tens of thousands of pounds.

The full hoard comprised of 599 silver denarii ranging from the times of emperors Nero (54 to 68) and Antonius Pius (138 to 161).

The bulk of the coins come from two reigns, of Trajan (98 to 117) and Hadrian (117 to 138).

Many are in fine condition as the hoard was hidden in a locally-made greyware pot.

Mr Stephens, who lives with wife Clare and sons Samuel 14 and Shane, 12, regularly walks the local area with his metal detector.

He spent four hours uncovering the full hoard of coins, which were buried just four inches underground.

He said: "I was a bit excited to say the least. I phoned my wife straight away to tell her what I found.

"It's difficult to believe they have just sat there for 2000 years. I've found a lot of things over 25 years but never anything like this."

Llanvaches lies between the fortress of the Second Augustian Legion at Caerleon and the local tribal capital, Venta Silurum, at Caerwent.

National Museum assistant keeper Edward Besley said the coins would have represented about two years' wages for a legionary soldier but would have taken much longer to save.

It is thought the money could be the life savings of a retired soldier who settled locally or the proceeds of commerce relating to Caerleon or Caerwent.