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Treasure hunter finds rare Carausius coins
Treasure hunter finds rare Carausius coins
Last Updated: 1:10am GMT 17/03/2008
A treasure-hunter could be in line for a small fortune after unearthing two rare coins that shed light on a little-known rebel Roman emperor.
Donatello's David shines after laser clean-up
Derrick Fretwell's finds, which date back to AD286 and the reign of Carausius, have been hailed "priceless" by experts at the British Museum.
Mr Fretwell, 57, was digging in a field near Ashbourne, Derbys, when he uncovered the coins, which are at least 90 per cent gold.
The machinery sales manager said yesterday: "I'll be intrigued to find out what they are worth, although to me their worth is their rarity value."
Carausius, a Roman fleet commander, declared himself Emperor of Britain around 286 or 287 after the emperor in Rome ordered his execution.
Sam Moorhead, an expert in Roman antiquities at the British Museum, said: "Gold coins of Carausius are extremely rare, with only 23 in existence until now. Ethically, I am not allowed to put a valuation on them - but I reckon they are priceless."
A coroner has ruled that the coins are "treasure trove". An independent treasure committee will decide a value for the coins before Mr Fretwell, a father-of-three, learns the size of his windfall.
Treasure hunter finds rare Carausius coins
Last Updated: 1:10am GMT 17/03/2008
A treasure-hunter could be in line for a small fortune after unearthing two rare coins that shed light on a little-known rebel Roman emperor.
Donatello's David shines after laser clean-up
Derrick Fretwell's finds, which date back to AD286 and the reign of Carausius, have been hailed "priceless" by experts at the British Museum.
Mr Fretwell, 57, was digging in a field near Ashbourne, Derbys, when he uncovered the coins, which are at least 90 per cent gold.
The machinery sales manager said yesterday: "I'll be intrigued to find out what they are worth, although to me their worth is their rarity value."
Carausius, a Roman fleet commander, declared himself Emperor of Britain around 286 or 287 after the emperor in Rome ordered his execution.
Sam Moorhead, an expert in Roman antiquities at the British Museum, said: "Gold coins of Carausius are extremely rare, with only 23 in existence until now. Ethically, I am not allowed to put a valuation on them - but I reckon they are priceless."
A coroner has ruled that the coins are "treasure trove". An independent treasure committee will decide a value for the coins before Mr Fretwell, a father-of-three, learns the size of his windfall.
