Frome Hoard of Roman coins to stay in Somerset

The following report is courtesy of the BBC:

"About 53,000 coins were found buried in a field near Frome in Somerset. The largest ever collection of Roman coins found in Britain in one pot will stay in the county where it was unearthed. The Museum of Somerset has raised £320,250 to keep the Frome Hoard. There had been fears it would go to London.

The coins, which date back over 1,700 years, were found last April by metal-detectorist Dave Crisp from Wiltshire. Steven Minnit, from the museum, said he was "absolutely delighted" and could not believe the public's interest. The coins will be on display when the museum's £6.9m revamp is completed in the summer.

"The story will not end there however," added Mr Minnit. "As the hoard undergoes study over the next year or two many more of its secrets will be unlocked."

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) gave the museum a grant of £294,000 so the museum could keep the hoard. A further £100,000 has also been raised for its conservation. It marks the end of a fundraising campaign which saw more than £13,000 raised at a public event in Wells.

The Art Fund, a national fundraising charity for works of art, kick-started the appeal in November with a grant of £40,250 and then matched the first £10,000 raised."