A metal detectorist in Kent has found a collection of 35 Celtic gold coins, believed to be worth up to £20,000. The coins, known as staters, were discovered during a detecting rally, along with nine fragments of a flint nodule. The discovery, made by retiree Tony Asquith after 45 years of metal detecting, is expected to be auctioned by Noonans Mayfair on September 18.
Tony described the find as “amazing,” attributing it to recent ploughing that brought the nodule to the surface, scattering its contents of coins. The coins, dating back to around 55BC, are thought to have been concealed within the flint nodule for millions of years. It is believed that the nodule broke open, revealing the ancient coins.
Nigel Mills, a Coins and Artefacts Specialist at Noonans, praised Tony’s find as historically significant. The coins feature a shallow domed obverse with a dished reverse depicting an abstract horse galloping to the right with a charioteer’s arm above. This discovery is one of only eleven similar hoards of Iron Age coins found in Britain, the rest of which are housed in museums.
Tony’s find took place during the Joan Allen Detecting Rally near Maidstone, where he came across the Celtic staters using his Minelab Equinox 800 detector. While he initially found mundane items like wire and a shotgun cartridge, the discovery of the Celtic staters was a delightful surprise for him.
The coins are believed to have originated from around the time of Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul and his attempted invasion of Britain, adding further historical significance to the find. With an auction looming, the coins are anticipated to fetch a substantial sum for Tony, potentially around £20,000.
This discovery serves as a reminder of the rich history hidden beneath the surface of ordinary fields. The ancient artifacts uncovered by Tony Asquith shed light on a bygone era and offer a glimpse into the past that continues to captivate and fascinate historians and collectors alike.