Roman Coin Hoard

Discover a rare Roman coin hoard recently acquired by Dorset Museum, and find out about the work going on to preserve, research and catalogue it, in this special showcase display outside the Collections Discovery Centre.

The Askerswell Hoard was found in the parish of Askerswell in west Dorset in 2017 during a metal detecting rally. A total of 627 silver denarius coins were recovered, the earliest dating to the Roman republic. It is the largest hoard of its date in Britain, and nothing like it has previously been seen in Dorset.

The hoard was declared as Treasure and acquired by Dorset Museum in 2022, with the support of Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Headley Trust Archaeological Acquisitions Fund, Richard Beleson and a number of other private donors.