A Roman coin of the last pagan emperor which might have been deliberately damaged as an "act of erasure" was found by two metal detectorists.

It depicts Julian the Apostate, part of Rome's first Christian dynasty, who revived paganism when he became the emperor in AD361.

The coin was part of a hoard found near King's Lynn, Norfolk, in March 2020.

The coin was part of a hoard of at least 15 gold and 226 silver coins which were found in a field near King's Lynn.

It was hidden at the time of Barbarian Conspiracy era, an alleged invasion attempt by Picts and Saxons.

But with just one source claiming it took place and no "archaeological evidence for an invasion, we do wonder whether the turmoil might have been an internal rebellion", Dr Marsden said.

It appears to have been hidden during the AD367 Barbarian Conspiracy, a time of great turmoil in Roman Britain.

A British Museum expert suggested a gouge on the coin around Julian's eyes could be an "act of erasure against the last pagan emperor".

But Adrian Marsden, a numismatist or coin specialist with the Norfolk Historic Environment Service, believes it looks more like accidental damage, as other Julian coins discovered in the hoard remain untouched.

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Pagan Roman emperor coin found in Norfolk field 'deliberately damaged'(https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-58001605)