Find Spot record 521 - Statham Roman Coin Hoard

<1> Beaumont, W, 1853, On the traces of the Romans along the banks of the Mersey, p.12-14 (Article in Journal). SCH7818.

“…about the year 1780, as two labourers, Timothy and Peter Knowles, father and son, were at work on the edge of a field near to a piece of old wall, since supposed to be Roman, the spade of the elder workman struck upon some object which sounded hollow. He stooped down to ascertain what it was, and found that he had broken a large earthen jar, which was filled with bright pieces of money. "Down with your spade, my son!" he exclaimed; "no more work, for our fortune is made!" It was an age of superstition; and the father had doubtless heard of uncounted hoards, laid up by fortune or the fairies, to bless with sudden, wealth their favoured votaries. Elated with the idea of gold without differing: for it, the two labourers threw down their tools, and busied themselves in removing the vessel, a large Roman olla, and its contents, when the latter were found to consist of more than three hundred Roman copper coins, principally, if not wholly, of the lower empire. As their value in the eyes of the finders depended principally upon their being turned into money current with the merchant, the coins were speedily disposed of, and passed into numerous hands…”. The coins dated from AD 250 and AD 275. The account includes a description of twenty-two of the coins.

<2> Pennant, T, 1801, A tour from Downing to Alston-Moor, p.10 (Book). SCH3281.

Reports the finding "..of many hundred of brass coins in a pot at Statham near Thelwall, many of them of Claudius [Gothicus]…".

<3> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p.308-309 (Book). SCH2878.

Manuscripts of Rev. John Watson, a mid eighteenth century Rector of Stockport, in the Bodleian Library, refer to this hoard twice. at p.236 and p.238, giving the impression that there are two hoards. The manuscript gave the addittional information that the hoard was found in 1778 and consited of 1200 coins in a pot, and contained coins of Valerian, Gallienus, Postumus, Tetricus, Victorinus, Marius, Claudius, Tacitus. Many coins of Valerian, Gallienus, Postumus, Tetricus, Victorinus, Marius, Claudius, Tacitus. Watson derived this information from the Rev Hartley of Martinscroft whose brother-in-law owned the field in which the find was made.

<4> Beaumont W, 1876, The Roman Station at Wilderspool (Book). SCH3237.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ68 NE4 (Index). SCH2487.

The hoard was found in a field called 'The Green Hey' which may be the 'Green Heys' located at SJ668880 and recorded on the Lymm tithe award (see 8).

<6> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p.233 (Book). SCH3556.

Coin hoard, c.1200 coins, including Valerian, Gallienus, Postumus, Marius, Victorinus, and the Tetrici, found in 1778 in 'the Green Hey'. Since lost.

<7> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, no.271 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<7> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 253/1-2 1837 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

There are three adjacent fields which have Green Hey as part of their name: Green Heys, Near Green Hey and Far Green Hey.