Two new dates have been added to the Beau Street Hoard roadshow, bringing with it the opportunity to get up and close and personal with 2,000-year-old silver Roman coins.
The roadshow is part of a project aimed at bringing communities closer to the 17,577 Roman coins that make up the fabulous Beau Street Hoard.
The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
At the roadshow, staff from the Roman Baths will bring out a selection of the hoard’s coins for handling.
They will also provide a wealth of information, activities and displays so visitors can learn about this important find.
Fascinating illustrated talks examine the hoard, its discovery and significance. It’s a fun family event – and you can even strike your own Roman coin to take home.
The roadshow will be at Bradford on Avon library on Saturday, 18th October. It will be open from 10.30am to 3pm. It will also visit Paulton Village Hall on Saturday, 8th November from 11am to 4pm and there will be illustrated talks at 11.30am and 2pm.
Cllr Ben Stevens, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, (Lib Dem, Widcombe) said: “Hundreds of people have already had the opportunity to enjoy looking at these fantastic Roman coins during the roadshow visits.
“Thanks to the efforts of our staff and the Heritage Lottery Fund this roadshow is just one opportunity to discover and learn about the hoard – and we hope there will be many more opportunities in the future.”
The hoard was excavated by archaeologists on the site of the new Gainsborough Hotel in Beau Street, Bath, in 2007.
The Roman coins span the period from 32BC – 275AD and were found in eight separate money bags, which were fused together.
In March 2014, Bath & North East Somerset Council was awarded a grant of £372,500 from The Heritage Lottery Fund to purchase the hoard, and, from February 2015, it will be on permanent public display in a new interactive exhibit within the Aquae Sulis Gallery at The Roman Baths.
Susan Fox, Collections Manager at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “The images on the coins are fascinating. They were the easiest way the Emperor had of communicating with his citizens, and therefore represent thousands of mini political broadcasts.”
More than 160 people visited the last roadshow venue at Priston Village Hall on 4th October. Further dates are being planned – keep an eye on www.romanbaths.co.uk/whats_on/beau_street_hoard.aspx for all the latest news.
