Revealing Roman Britain: the Worcestershire Conquest hoard

Known as the Worcestershire Conquest hoard, the hoard was found in late 2023, and consists of 1368 Iron Age and Roman gold and silver coins. The coins span two centuries from 157 BC to AD 55, and date the hoard to the very beginning of Roman Britain – barely a decade after the Claudian invasion in AD 43.

Research into the hoard is being led by Murray Andrews who has been working closely with colleagues from Museums Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archives and Archaeology Service, and the Portable Antiquities Scheme to process the find in accordance with the Treasure Act 1996.

According to Murray: 

“This is the largest hoard of the reign of Nero (AD 54–68) ever found in Britain, and one of the largest of this period ever found in the entire Roman Empire. The coins come from every corner of the early Roman world, from the shores of the Mediterranean right up to the Cotswold Hills. They were buried just after the Claudian invasion, as Roman troops marched through western Britain to battle the tribes of Wales and the Welsh Border. It’s a remarkable discovery, and sheds important new light on the Roman Conquest – a time of conflict and change at the beginnings of British history.” 

The hoard was declared as Treasure by HM Coroner in June 2024, and is currently undergoing valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee. Museums Worcestershire are keen to acquire the hoard, and a fundraising campaign has been launched by Worcestershire Heritage, Art and Museums Registered Charity to help keep the hoard in the county. If the money cannot be raised, the hoard may be lost to the public forever.

Find out more 

• BBC News, ‘Hoard of Roman coins found during building work’  
• Museums Worcestershire, ‘Help us save the Worcestershire Conquest Hoard’ 
• Crowdfunder Campaign 
• CBS News
• Daily Express
• Daily Mail
• Daily Star
• Worcester News 

Listen

• BBC Sounds: Tammy Gooding, BBC Hereford and Worcester Radio (02/12/24) – features a segment on the hoard, including an interview with Murray Andrews (approx 2: 05: 31)

Images:

• Top: Selection of coins from the Worcestershire Conquest Hoard © Museums Worcestershire
• Middle: Iron Age gold stater of Eisu (circa AD 20–25) from the hoard © Museums Worcestershire
• Bottom: Roman silver denarius of Nero (AD 55) from the hoard © Museums Worcestershire