AN AMATEUR archaeologist from Aylesbury has been given a national award after uncovering a coin press which may have been used to make counterfeit currency in Roman times.

Tom Clarke, who has been metal detecting for more than 40 years, found a number of blank bronze coins and a small anvil in a farmer's field in Wing.

The unmarked discs are the halfway stage of someone making their own coins and have been dated to around 300AD.

The find, which Tom has donated to the Bucks County Museum, won him the �most significant hoard' category in the Nations' Greatest Find competition, run by The Searcher magazine.

He was presented with his award in a ceremony on Monday.

"I like to think it could be someone who was making illegal coins and being a bit naughty.

"For me it's the thrill of the find. I've never made any money from my metal detecting.

Brett Thorne, one of the museum archaeologists, said: "Due to a shortage of official coins at this time many people started making their own.

"In many cases they were probably tolerated by the authorities.

"The values we are talking about are minimal.

"If they were making silver coins it would be different."

To read the complete article, see:Award winning treasure found in Wing was used by Roman criminals(www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/local-news/award_winning_treasure
_found_in_wing_was_used_by_roman_criminals_1_2889061)