English city to show off gold Roman coins found with metal detector
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Oct. 17, 2012: In this undated photo released by St Albans City and District Council, late Roman gold coins, examples of the solidus, a high-value coin struck in the late fourth century, are photographed before going on display at the Verulamium Museum, St Albans, England. A curator at the museum says the coins, found on private land north of St. Albans, would have been used for major transactions such as buying land or ship cargoes. (AP/St Albans City and District Council)
The English city of St. Albans will be displaying a large batch of late Roman gold coins found by an amateur using a metal detector.
City official Claire Wainwright said Wednesday the 159 coins can be seen later this week at the Verulamium Museum.
The coins are example of the solidus, a high-value coin struck in the late 4th century. David Thorold, a curator at the museum, says the coins would have been used for major transactions such as buying land or ship cargoes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Officials say the coins were found on private land north of St. Albans but have not identified the site.
St. Albans, which is 22 miles north of London, also boasts a Roman theater and ruins of ancient walls.