Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

A Roman coinhoard, comprising 431 C2nd coins, was found in 1968 at low tide on the shore at Leysdown

Monument Types

• FINDSPOT (Roman - 100 AD to 199 AD)

Associated Finds

• COIN HOARD (Roman - 100 AD to 199 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

A Roman coinhoard, comprising 431 C2nd coins, was found in 1968 at low tide on the shore at Leysdown. The exact findspot has not been revealed as it is hoped to recover further coins. (1) This hoard was found by J. Brett, 25 Waterdales, Northfleet, Kent, while digging for bait. Unfortunately Mr Brett is reluctant to disclose the exact find-site and failed to keep two appointments. The hoard is to be purchased by Maidstone Museum, and a report by R.A.G Carson is to appear in the Num Chron 1970. Mr Kelly (Assistant Curator) is to publish what details he can find about the siting in Arch Cont 84. (2) Total of 500 coins, examined by R.A.G Carson of the British Museum. They range from Titus to Postumus, and as the two coins of Postumus are issues of his first year, and in fairly fresh condition, the hoard must have been deposited circa AD 260. it was found on sand and mud flats about 100 yards from the shore. (No further siting evidence). (3) Roman bronze coins were found by Mr J.V Brett on mud flats in Warden Bay, spring 1969. successive searches produced 500 coins in total, all scattered within a 6ft radius. The mud was dug to a depth of 4ft, at which level there appeared to be the remains of the original turf surface. No trace of a container was found. Almost all the coins are sestertii of the period Titus/Domitian - early Postumus. There are also 7 contemporary cast forgeries in the group. (Date and siting - as Authority 3). (4) For site in context with others in inter-tidal zone, see (6).

<1> Letter (D B Kelly 3 12 1968) (OS Card Reference). SKE46029.

<2> F1 CFW 01-NOV-69 (OS Card Reference). SKE42380.

<3> Arch Cant 84 1969 260 (D B Kelly) (OS Card Reference). SKE35795.

<4> Numismatic Chron 1971 189-197 figs (R A G Carson) (OS Card Reference). SKE47751.

<5> Field report for monument TR 07 SW 8 - November, 1969 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5317.

<6> Department of Archaeology, University of Reading, 1994, Inter-tidal archaeology in Kent, p22 (Unpublished document). SWX9353.

Sources and further reading