St Barbe Mueseum in Lymington displays hoard of Celtic coins found buried in New Forest

A HOARD of Celtic coins found buried in the New Forest by three metal detectorists is now on display at Lymington's St Barbe Museum.

The unique, 2,000-year-old cache of 269 coins, which includes some never before been seen by historians, was secured by the museum following a fundraising appeal backed by TV historian Dan Snow.

Having been declared a treasure trove by the British Museum – meaning it was buried deliberately – the find effectively belonged to the people who found it in 2018, and the landowner.

St Barbe launched a public campaign – dubbed the Celtic Countdown – to raise a total of £37,500 to buy, display and interpret the coins, which bear charming and detailed designs relating to myths.

"The coins look like jewellery, with their beautiful designs," said a museum spokesperson. "They vary in size from smaller than the rubber on the end of a pencil to roughly the size of a 1p piece.

"This is more incredible if you consider they are Iron Age, before magnifying glasses were invented!"

St Barbe trustee Professor Tony King said the coins display mythical scenes, one a horse and sun depicting the belief that the horse carries the sun under the sea at sunset and emerges at sunrise.

The hoard is believed to have been buried as part of a ritual activity, along with other items of this period. Their exact location has not – and will not – be divulged for fear of others "trying their luck" on the private land.

Museum director Maria Ragan said the collection is "totally unique".

“There are 36 coins that the British Museum does not even have in its collection – they have not been seen by historians before.

“That makes the collection totally unique. Historically and archaeologically, it is really important as it is starting to build on our knowledge of how people began to live in the New Forest.

“The display of the coins is just the start of what will be an archaeological investigation into how and why they were left where they were, and who by.”

The coins will be displayed in a specially made, secure case, with pins used for insect displays holding them in place.

"These are specially enamelled to prevent corrosion," added the spokesperson. "For the same reason, special ink must be used to print the interpretation alongside the coins. Everything must be carefully considered for the display, right down to fabric made without chemicals that could damage the hoard."

St Barbe is open Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm.