Bathroom Fitter Unearths 50 Roman Coins in Leicestershire Field, Valued at £1,500
Bathroom Fitter Unearths “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Roman Coin Hoard
David Dunn, a 42-year-old bathroom fitter from Sapcote, Leicestershire, made a stunning discovery in July 2023 while metal detecting in a nearby field. What began as a routine hobby outing turned into a historic find when he uncovered 50 Roman coins dating to the late third century—a haul experts describe as “once in a lifetime.”
The Discovery
Just a 15-minute walk from his home, Dunn spent hours scanning a pasture field with his metal detector until he received faint signals. Digging down two feet, he found one Roman coin, then another, sparking an exhaustive search. Over a 4-meter area, he and the landowner unearthed 50 antoninianus coins, a type of silver currency used during the Roman Empire.
[Image: David Dunn holding coins in a field | Caption: David Dunn unearthed 50 Roman coins after a “faint signal” led him to dig.]
Auction Spotlight
The coins, now slated for auction at Noonans Mayfair on February 18, are expected to fetch between £1,200 and £1,500. Among them is a previously unknown variety from the reign of Carausius, a Roman usurper who ruled Britain and northern Gaul in the late 3rd century. Coin expert Alice Cullen noted the discovery’s significance, explaining the coins span the reigns of emperors Carausius, Allectus, Diocletian, and Maximian.
Dunn, a metal-detecting enthusiast for just two years, initially handed the coins to local authorities. After museums declined to acquire them, he opted to sell. “Finding history is what I love,” he said, adding that he plans to gift most of the proceeds to the farmer, who faced financial struggles post-Covid.
[Image: Close-up of Roman coins | Caption: The hoard includes coins from emperors like Carausius, with one identified as a new variety.]
Historical Clues
The find’s location near a known Roman villa site adds intrigue. “Many coins had perfect portraits—it was breathtaking,” Dunn recalled. Dr. Sam Moorhead, a Roman coin expert, confirmed the rarity of one coin, which will feature in an updated British Museum catalog.
Roman Britain’s Legacy
The coins offer a glimpse into Britain’s Roman era, which began with Julius Caesar’s 55 BC invasion and lasted nearly 500 years. By 43 AD, Emperor Claudius formalized Roman rule, founding Londinium (London) and establishing infrastructure. Hadrian’s Wall (122 AD) and the spread of Christianity (312 AD) marked later milestones before Rome’s withdrawal in 410 AD.
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