A Rare Roman Coin Hoard Finds a New Home in Rochdale’s Cultural Heritage Collection
Excitement is in the air as a remarkable treasure trove of Roman coins, discovered in a Littleborough field, has officially joined Touchstone’s Rochdale borough cultural heritage collection. This ancient hoard, found just seven inches beneath the soil, is now preserved for the local community to marvel at, thanks to generous support from Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Pennines Township, Rochdale Borough Council.
The stash of 376 Roman coins, dating back nearly 2,000 years, was found buried in shallow earth back in 2020 by two metal detectorists searching a field. The coins offer a fascinating glimpse into over 120 years of Roman history, as Emperors came and went with the coins remaining as tokens of their rule.
But the mystery doesn’t end there. Who buried this hoard? Why was it hidden? And why did it remain undiscovered for so long? These questions will surely spark the imaginations of visitors when the coins go on display in the near future at the newly redeveloped Touchstones, inviting them to piece together the story behind this extraordinary find.
Leanne Manfredi, National Programmes Lead, Victoria and Albert Museum says: “The Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund supports the purchase of a wide range of material for the permanent collections of non-nationally funded organisations in England and Wales. We are delighted that this Roman Coin Hoard has been acquired by Rochdale Arts and Heritage Service via the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme. It will benefit audiences for years to come.”
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