Metal Detector Finds 840 Gold Coins Wickham Market Hoard Treasure

In 2008 a man using a metal detector found a hoard of 840 gold coins, this hoard has since become known as The Wickham Market Hoard.

The Wickham Market Hoard contained coins that belonged to the Iceni Tribe and are believed to be from 40 BC to 15 AD. This would date these coins to Pre-Queen Boudicca the warrior queen who led the revolt against Roman Rule which destroyed Colchester in 60 AD.

The Ipswitch Museum raised 300,000 pounds to purchase the hoard and keep it in Suffolk, later this hoard will be visiting Colchester, Norwich and Cambridge. arolineMcDonald, curator, said: " Cambridge and Norfolk are part of the Iceni tribal heartlands, so essentially we're sending the coins back to where they came from." McDonald added "I like to think emotionally we're all related to the Iceni because we tread in those places that they trod 2,000 years ago."

Recently the Ipswitch Museum posted an opportunity for 50 people to help clean these coins in a free workshop. All 50 spots have already been filled. I imagine they filled quite quickly. McDonald said "We wanted our contemporary communities to experience the coins close up." McDonald continued "It's quite unusual for us to have members of the public in the conservation lab and even more unusual to have them around our treasure."

Emma Hogarth, conservation officer, said: "If they're pure gold, they don't decay, but as there is some copper in these ones, we do have a little bit of corrosion. It's certainly time-consuming which is why we're delighted to have the public get involved in the work we've got to do."

In 2013 an exhibition of Chinese treasure will be displayed in Colchester and in return, the Wickham Market Hoard could go on display in China.
Well, that's all I've got for now. As always, take care and Happy Hunting! Bye.