Britain’s biggest Iron Age gold coin discovery
Britain’s biggest Iron Age gold coin discovery may have been a tribute paid to Julius Caesar.
Over 2,000 years ago,
someone probably planned to return for the 933 gold coins they buried. They did
not. Archaeologists say the Great Baddow Hoard was buried around the time of
Julius Caesar’s second invasion of Britain in 54 BC. The massive collection includes 930 Eastern
British staters, making it the largest Iron Age gold coin hoard ever discovered
in Britain.
The coins may have
been hidden, according to research, during a power struggle between the
Trinovantes and Catuvellauni tribes. One possibility is that they were gathered
as a tribute for Julius Caesar, offering rare archaeological evidence that may
support Roman accounts of conflict in ancient Britain.
Ironically, the
modern discovery came with its own twist.
The metal detectorist who found the hoard failed to report it under
British law, was convicted, and received no reward. Instead, the treasure is currently kept for
research and possible public display in the future. Museum of Chelmsford

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