RARE Roman coins unearthed in a farmer’s field near Warrington whave been declared national treasure.
A Warrington inquest has declared that the silver Roman coins unearthed by Woolston based amateur archaeologist James Balme, who is well known for his discoveries of Roman treasures in the Lymm area, are national treasure. 
It is the second such case for James in the past three years.
A delighted James, who will now receive a financial reward for unearthing the coins, said: ” This is another great result and recognition of the contribution to the understanding of Roman Northwest of England that I am making.”
He has been searching the area for over a decade to find evidence of its Roman past. In 2006, he discovered a Roman silver snake bracelet, which was declared National Treasure and he has now unearthed eight rare Roman silver coins.
He believes the coins are part of a bigger hoard still buried and he notified the British Museum accordingly. Using his metal detector, James made his second discovery of buried treasure consisting of eight Roman silver Republican Denarius coins, dated between 252 BC and 2 BC.
“Most Roman coins found are from the 1st or 2nd centuries AD but these are older Republican coins and come from a time before the Roman Empire,” he said.
He believes the coins were used to pay Roman soldiers who were pushing North with their military campaign and were hidden but never collected.
“I think once they reached the River Bollin they buried the coins because of the local Brigantes, a Celtic tribe who controlled Northern England but, for some reason, never came back for them.”
“It’s very exciting because they’re extremely rare.”
Under the Treasure laws, a discovery of six or more such coins from one site is classed officially as a Roman hoard.
“There is clearly still an untold Roman mystery here that I am uncovering slowly year by year, my work will continue for many more years to come,” added James.
Pictures show James Balme with his trusted metal detector and a close up of one of the coins
Rare Roman coins are treasure!
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
7 Comments
Great news… well done Indy (James). Can they be displayed in Warrington Museum where we can all see them ? Hope you manage to find the rest of them very soon too 🙂 Keep up the good work 🙂
Nice one Indy…. But wouldn’t you have gotten a better price on EBay??
The coins as with the Snake Bracelet will be acquired by Manchester Museum and displayed there .. As for Ebay ?? it is policed heavily by the Portable Antiqities Scheme and such items appearing for sale are investigated… A Beter Price Baz, you dont know how much ive been offered .. lol
Are you on facebook james I would like to talk to you thanks
Hi yes im on facebook.
Well done Indy another great find, no doubt we’ll be seing the video soon. I had to leave before the TV report on North West Tonight but I knew it must be you with a fist full of coins being found in Cheshire.
Yes Geoff it was me …. DVD of the programme has been sent to me by the BBC …..