File:COIN HOARD (FindID 727007).jpg

Specialist Treasure Report for H.M. Coroner:

2015 -T435: A small hoard of late Iron Age staters from Sellack, Herefordshire

HM Coroner: Mr Mark Bricknell

District: Herefordshire

Date: Late Iron Age 50 BC - AD 30

Finder: Mr. Nicholas Washington

Findspot: Sellack Area.

Date of discovery: 10: 32 AM 25^th May 2015 and 3:51 PM 6^th June 2015

Circumstances of discovery:

Whilst searching with a metal detector

PAS Record: HESH-AEC26C

Description:

1. Gold uninscribed 'Western' Stater of the 'Dobunnic' Tribe / Group

Obverse: Leaf or tree formed from a central vertical bar with a solid pellet at one end and a pellet within annulet at the other; from either side of the bar diagonal (chevron) style lines emerge each terminating in a small pellet.

Reverse: Triple tailed horse advancing right; pellet and wheel below; below tail pellet within oval wheel; above crescent with bar (charioteer's hand). Whole design enclosed within a ring of pellets.

Note: Coin struck off-centre lower half of reverse very clear and crisp - upper part weak. Further the gold is very granular and the edge of the flan, although unabraded is irregular.

Reference: Hobbs: 2937-2940, Rudd et al: ABC 2003, Van Arsdell: 1005

Weight: 5.57 grams Length 21.9mm Width 23.5mm Die Axis: 7 o'clock.

2. Gold uninscribed 'Western' Stater of the 'Dobunnic' Tribe / Group

Obverse: Leaf or tree formed from a central vertical bar with an annulet and pellet at the mid-point from which a vertical spike terminating in a lozenge emerges; and a pellet within annulet at the other; from either side of the vertical five pairs of diagonal (chevron) style lines emerge each terminating in a small pellet. An additional pellet to the right hand side of the base.

Reverse: Triple tailed horse advancing right; pellet and wheel below; above crescent with bar (charioteer's hand). Note: Coin struck off-centre

Reference: Hobbs: 2937-2940, Rudd et al: ABC 2003, Van Arsdell: 1005

Weight: 5.55 grams Length 18.9mm Width 21.3mm Die Axis: 10 o'clock.

Discussion and Dating:

The two staters described herein are both of the same type - although possibly struck with different dies. They were found relatively close together and they all are of similar condition with similar wear and surface patina. Such finds of Iron Age coins are rare in Herefordshire and Western Britain and as such must have been deposited together at the time of loss. Their dispersal is most likely due to agricultural activities such as ploughing.

Statement:

As these coins are over three hundred years old and are made substantially of gold, they therefore qualify as Treasure under the stipulations of the 1996 Treasure Act.

References:

Hobbs, R. 1996: British Iron Age Coins in the British Museum. British Museum Press: London

Rudd, C et al 2010: Ancient British Coins. Privately Publish. Aylsham

Van Arsdell, R.D. 1989. Celtic Coinage of Britain Spink and Son.: London

Author

Peter Reavill

Finds Liaison Officer, Portable Antiquities Scheme

June 2015