Autumn/Winter Newsletter

Dear All, Autumn is nearly over, the colours this year have been wonderful, we are very lucky to have Westonbirt National Arboretum just down the road from us here in Gloucestershire.

Our team has been very busy in the office, we have a new photography set up which we are getting to grips with (please bear with us!) and we have just launched the Standlake Hoard Auction, ending on 14th December and well worth a look. We’ve said goodbye to Lucy and welcomed Sophie to our small team, she will be working mainly on photography and a few other office roles.

Enjoy reading below and as ever, please get in touch with any questions or suggestions! The Silbury Team

Introducing the Standlake Hoard of Boduoc Staters

This hoard consists of 6 gold staters of the Dobunnic ruler Boduoc in exceptional condition. Found near the village of Standlake in Oxfordshire on organised metal detecting events during 2023.

The finds were declared treasure and recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme and Celtic Coin Index, later disclaimed and returned to the finders and landowner.

This gives private collectors the rare opportunity to secure a high grade rarity from the Ancient British inscribed series, seldom are coins of this quality found and offered for sale.

These coins will be offered for sale by auction ending at 5pm (GMT) on the 14th December 2024. Bidding is exclusively through Silbury Coins, live on our website, by email or post.

For further information or to receive a printed auction catalogue visit our website or get in touch today.

Carausius & Allectus

The Roman Empire faced severe crises starting in AD 235, marked by economic collapse, rampant inflation, and a chaotic succession of shortlived emperors. External threats further destabilized the empire. In AD 284, Diocletian became emperor and introduced reforms, increasing the number of provinces and creating a Tetrarchy with Maximian as coemperor to better manage the vast empire.

Carausius, of humble origins, rose through the military ranks and was appointed commander of the Channel Fleet in AD 286. Instead of defending against Saxon and Frankish pirates, he enriched himself and declared himself emperor of a breakaway state, the Imperium Britanniarum. He issued coinage depicting himself as co-emperor alongside Diocletian and Maximian. Although Maximian attempted to remove him, Carausius expanded his control over parts of Gaul until his assassination by his chief minister Allectus in AD 293.

Allectus succeeded Carausius but faced imminent retaliation from Rome. After a prolonged buildup, Constantius launched a successful invasion, and Allectus was killed in battle around AD 296. His brief reign ended with Britain’s return to Roman rule. Allectus issued coinage, primarily in gold and bronze, which emphasized his naval strength, though no silver coins from his reign have been found.

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Rodney Cook Memorial Rally

The Rodney Cook Memorial Rally is an annual charity metal detecting event based in the UK dedicated to Rodney Cook, a well-known figure in the metal detecting community. All proceeds from the rally are donated to cancer research and treatment charities.

The event brings together hundreds of metal detecting enthusiasts from across the UK and abroad, providing them the opportunity to search farmland for historical artefacts. Each year, Silbury Coins has the honor of attending and we love getting out in the fields with the Metal Detecting Community, being on hand to identify finds as they are unearthed.

Gary, Lisa and the team at RCM do a fantastic job organising this event and this year we donated a George III Guinea to the charity auction in support of their charities.

Ancient Gold Coins

Ancient gold coins are both beautiful to look at and exciting to own. We have a dedicated category on our homepage where you will find a selection of gold coins from the Roman, Greek, Celtic and Byzantine empires. Gold coins generally don’t tarnish so these will look today as they did back in Ancient times, they would have been highly treasured and only lined the pockets of the wealthy due to their high value. Three Roman solidi could buy you a slave in the 4th Century AD!

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