Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 10 mm, 3.79 g, 6 h), uncertain mint in Spain (Colonia Patricia?), circa 19 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS Bare head of Augustus to left. Rev. SIGNIS RECEPTIS / S - P / Q - R Round shield inscribed [CL] V, flanked by aquila on the left and signum on the right. BMC 420. Cohen 267. Ghey 360 (this coin). RIC 86b. SF 21 (this coin). Nicely toned. Light scratches, nicks and with a minor scrape on the reverse, otherwise, about very fine.



Helmingham Hall is a picturesque manor house with a moat, dating back to the 16th century. Not far from the Tudor-style house, an almost 2,000-year-old secret was uncovered by George Ridway in September 2019. The hoard that came to light included 724 Roman silver Denarii, 19 gold Staters and 4 quarter Staters of Cunobelin. This is the largest known mixed hoard of British Iron Age and Roman coins ever discovered in Britain. The latest coins in the hoard were minted in 46-47, giving us a terminus post quem within the reign of Emperor Claudius, just a few years after the Roman conquest of Britain.

At that time, Helmingham was situated in the midst of these dramatic events, located just 43 kilometers north of Camulodunum, a significant early Roman settlement. Veterans of Legio XX Valeria Victrix, which arrived in Britain in 43 and played a pivotal role in the conquest, settled in Camulodunum before 49. While we will never fully uncover the original owner's precise connection to the conquest of Britain, it is highly likely that the Helmingham Hoard should be understood within the context of this event.