Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

In 1853, whilst trenching for planting in Quex Park, a hoard of some 600 Iron Age tin coins, containing at least 23 varieties, was found. The coins were packed in two tiers, in a (presumably wooden) container about 9 inches long, 4 inches wide and 3 inches deep, buried about 18 inches below the surface; they appear never to have been used. It is thought that an even larger hoard was found about the same time in the Quex area.

Monument Types

• FINDSPOT (Iron Age - 800 BC? (at some time) to 42 AD? (at some time))

Associated Finds

• COIN HOARD (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)

Full description

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In 1853, whilst trenching for planting in Quex Park, a hoard of some 600 iron age tin coins, containing at least 23 varieties, was found to the right of the gate leading into the pleasure grounds NW of the mansion, opposite to the footpath leading to the village; the old lane leading from Acol to Birchington passes near the spot. The coins were packed in two tiers, in a (presumably wooden) container about 9 inches long, 4 inches wide and 3 inches deep, buried about 18 inches below the surface; they appear never to have been used. It is thought that an even larger hoard was found about the same time in the Quex area, for in 1853 a number of similar coins came into the hands of Mr. Rolfe of Sandwich, six varieties of which are figured by Evans (Class I). (1,2) The exact findspot of this hoard cannot be identified but it must have been in the general area centred at TR 30806846 Only about 40 specimens survive, on exhibition in the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex Park; no further information on the balance, nor of the hoard which Evans features, was obtained. (3) TR 307686 (accurate to within 50m only) iron age remains discovered here in 1893. Site no 71. (4) Two hoards of coins have been found at Birchington. Clinch (5) suggests that the coins may have been made of tin or a tin alloy and roughly cast. The usual device on such coins is a representation of ahelmeted head in profile on the obverse and on the reverse a figure of a bull. He sites examples studied by Evans, a British coins of tin, an uninscribed gold coin, and an Eppillus. (5)

Additional Information (6-7).

<1> A History of the Ville of Birchington 1893, 3-4 (J.P. Barrett) (OS Card Reference). SKE32821.

<2> A.B.C. 125 (plate H) & supplmt. 484 (J. Evans) (OS Card Reference). SKE32926.

<3> F1 CFW 01-OCT-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42382.

<4> Thanet. The Arch. Heritage c.1982, 8 (Thanet Dist. Council & Isle of Thanet Arch. Unit) (OS Card Reference). SKE49913.

<5> Page, W. (ed), 1908, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Kent Volumne I, V.C.H. 1, 1908, 330, 334 (G. Clinch) (Monograph). SKE7882.

<6> Field report for monument TR 36 NW 20 - October, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6225.

<7> Trust For Thanet Archaeology, 1997, A Proposed Development of Land at Park Road/Canterbury Road, Birchington: The Archaeological Implications (Unpublished document). SWX7102.

Sources and further reading