August 2024 – The metal detecting community is buzzing with excitement after one of their own, George Ridgway, uncovered a spectacular hoard of 748 gold and silver coins at Helmingham Hall, Suffolk. This discovery serves as an inspiration to detectorists everywhere, proving that persistence, knowledge, and a bit of luck can lead to truly extraordinary finds.
Ridgway, a 34-year-old trained archaeologist, embarked on his fateful hunt in September 2019. His approach highlights the importance of research and intuition in the hobby. “I decided to investigate an unusual crop mark in a recently harvested barley field,” he explained, noting his awareness of a nearby Roman road. This strategic thinking paid off in spectacular fashion.
After initially coming up empty-handed, Ridgway’s decision to move just 30 yards away led to the discovery of two early Roman brooches. This find alone would have made for a successful day, but it was just the beginning. The next signal revealed a silver denarius issued by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, setting the stage for an unforgettable detecting session.
Over the next three hours, Ridgway’s detector continued to sing, leading him to an astounding 160 more Roman silver coins. This rapid succession of finds is the stuff of detectorists’ dreams, demonstrating how quickly a routine outing can turn into a history-changing event.
Ridgway’s actions following the discovery exemplify best practices in the detecting community. Recognizing the significance of his find, he called his father to guard the site overnight and waited for an archaeological team to properly excavate the area. This responsible approach ensures that valuable historical context is preserved and studied.
The hoard’s composition is truly remarkable, spanning from 206 BC to 46 or 47 AD. It includes coins from the Iron Age through the reign of Emperor Claudius, offering a numismatic journey through a pivotal period in British history. For detectorists and historians alike, such a diverse collection in a single hoard is exceptionally rare and valuable.
The financial aspect of this find is significant, with over 680 coins expected to fetch £75,000 at auction. This serves as a reminder of the potential monetary rewards in the hobby, though for many detectorists, the historical value far outweighs the financial.
Ridgway’s story is particularly inspiring as it fulfills a lifelong dream. Inspired by Indiana Jones and gifted his first detector at age 12, his journey shows how childhood passions can lead to significant contributions to historical research.
As news of this discovery spreads through detecting forums and social media, it’s sure to inspire countless enthusiasts to head out to their favorite spots, dreams of similar finds spurring them on. Ridgway’s success serves as a powerful reminder that with dedication, knowledge, and the right equipment, any detectorist could be on the verge of making the next great historical discovery.
