Record-Breaking Hoard: 15,000 Roman Coins Unearthed in Wales

Various shots of the finders with the Roman coin hoard found in Wales.

October

/ 2025

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A metal detectorist in North Wales has made what could be the largest discovery of Roman coins ever found in the country, unearthing up to 15,000 ancient coins buried in two clay pots. David Moss, 36, from Cheshire, was so fearful of losing his extraordinary find that he slept with the coins in his car for three nights before delivering them to experts.

The discovery unfolded in August during a metal detecting excursion in a field that Moss described as "virtually untouched." After enduring hours of rain with his friend Ian Nicholson, the pair were about to abandon their search when a rainbow appeared. "It truly felt like a sign," Moss told the BBC. "Persistence paid off and what we uncovered was beyond anything I ever dreamed." The first pot emerged from just over 20 inches below the surface, followed by a second vessel in the same field.

Finders David Moss and Ian Nicholson with the recovered pots of coins.

Finders David Moss and Ian Nicholson with the recovered pot of Roman coins. (MineLab Metal Detectors)

A Detectorist's Dilemma

The sheer magnitude of the discovery created an unexpected problem for Moss. With the coins collectively weighing more than 130 pounds, he faced the challenge of safely transporting and protecting them. After notifying the landowner, who provided a plastic box for storage, Moss drove the four hours back to his Chester home. However, paranoia about theft kept him from bringing the treasure inside. For three restless nights, he slept in his vehicle, guarding what could be Wales' most significant Roman hoard.

Moss, who has been metal detecting for nearly a decade, had previously found approximately 2,700 Roman coins in his career. This single discovery quintuples that lifetime total. Anthony Halse, chairman of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Numismatic Society, confirmed to the BBC that this could surpass the previous Welsh record of 10,000 coins found near Chepstow in the 1990s. Another significant hoard of 6,000 coins was discovered at Sully in the Vale of Glamorgan in 2008.

The revovered hoard

The recovered hoard ready for transportation. (MineLab Metal Detectors)

Historical Significance and Legal Process

The coins now reside at the National Museum Cardiff, where specialists will conduct extensive analysis to determine their age, origin, and historical context. Halse believes the hoard likely belonged to members of the Roman army who buried their wealth for safekeeping, possibly during periods of military turmoil or before deployment. The area where the discovery was made has a rich archaeological history spanning from Iron Age druids and Vikings through to Roman occupation.

Example of a Roman sestertius coin hoard. (Portable Antiquities Scheme/CC BY-SA 2.0)

Under the Treasure Act 1996, the coins are now property of the Crown and will undergo official valuation. Museums in Wales and England can express interest in acquiring the collection. If a museum purchases the hoard, the proceeds will be divided equally between Moss and the landowner. The assessment process should be completed by next year, according to a spokesperson from the National Museum Cardiff.

This discovery adds to Britain's impressive record of Roman coin hoards, though it falls short of the Cunetio Hoard discovered in Wiltshire in 1978, which remains the largest ever found in Britain. Nevertheless, for Moss, the find represents the culmination of years of dedication to the hobby and opens a new chapter in understanding Roman Wales.

Top image: Various shots of the finders with the hoard. Source: MineLab Metal Detectors

By Gary Manners