An appeal has been launched to save the largest Roman hoard of its type ever discovered in the north of England. The Hoard of more than 1,800 Roman coins was discovered by a metal detectorist near the village of Wold Newton, East Yorkshire, in 2014.

The hoard dates to 307AD, a period of great uncertainty in the Roman Empire and Yorkshire. It features coins depicting Constantius and also the first coins to proclaim his son, Constantine, Augustus after he was made emperor in York.

The Yorkshire Museum, York, now have four months to raise £44,200 to keep the hoard in Yorkshire and in public collections.

The appeal is launched on July 25 - 1,710 years since the death of Constantius in York and his dying wish that Constantine should be his successor.

Andrew Woods, curator of numismatics at the Yorkshire Museum, said:

"This is an absolutely stunning find with a strong connection to one of the most significant periods in York's Roman history. No hoard of this size from this period has ever been discovered in the north of England before.

"It contains coins from the time of Constantius who died in the city and then the first to feature Constantine, rising to power. This was a pivotal moment in York's history but also the history of the western world. It was also a time of great uncertainty in the empire, as different Roman powers looked to challenge Constantine's claim as emperor.

"We hope to now save the hoard to make sure it stays in Yorkshire for the public to enjoy but also so we can learn more about this fascinating period as well as why it was buried and to whom it might have belonged."

David Sundman adds:

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YORKSHIRE MUSEUM TO RAISE £44,200 TO SAVE THE LARGEST ROMAN HOARD OF ITS TYPE DISCOVERED IN THE NORTH (www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/news-media/latest-news/yorkshire-museum-to-raise-44200-to-save-the-largest-roman-hoard-of-its-type-ever-discovered-in-the-north-of-england/)