West Bagborough Hoard


The West Bagborough Hoard is a hoard of 670 Roman coins and 72 pieces of hacksilver found in October 2001 by metal detectorist James Hawkesworth near West Bagborough in Somerset, England.

Discovery, excavation and valuation

The hoard was discovered by metal detectorist James Hawkesworth, a policeman from Bishops Lydeard. No trace of buildings or other structures were found in the area.
Following a treasure inquest at Taunton, the hoard was declared treasure and valued at £40,650. Somerset County Museum Services acquired the hoard, with the aid of Somerset County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, and £16,400 from the Victoria and Albert Museum/Resource Purchase Grant Fund. It is now displayed at the Museum of Somerset in the grounds of Taunton Castle.

Items discovered

The 681 coins included two denarii from the early 2nd century and eight miliarense and 671 siliqua all dating from the period AD 337 – 367, but including a large number of copies some silver and others from a copper alloy covered with silver sheet. The latest coins indicate that the hoard was buried in circa AD 365. The majority were struck in the reigns of emperors Constantius II and Julian and derive from a range of mints including Arles and Lyons in France, Trier in Germany and Rome. There were also 64 pieces of hacksilver, weighing a total of 722gm.
ReignDate№ of coins
Trajan98-117one
Marcus Aurelius139-161one
2nd century denariitwo
Constantius II307-363603
Valentinian period364-39212
Uncertain52