A "nationally significant" hoard of Roman gold coins has been found by a metal detectorist in Hertfordshire.

The stash - found on private land north of St Albans - is believed to be one of the largest Roman gold coin hoards discovered in the UK.

The 159 coins date to the end of the 4th Century during the final years of Roman rule in Britain. After AD 408 no more coin supplies reached the country.

The council said the coins were scattered across a fairly wide area and that there were "practically no other comparable gold hoards of this period".

They were mostly struck in the Italian cities of Milan and Ravenna and issued under the Emperors Gratian, Valentinian, Theodosius, Arcadius and Honorius.

Councillor Mike Wakely called it "an exciting find of national significance" and said the coins would go on display at Verulamium Museum.

David Thorold, from the museum, said that during Roman occupation, coins were usually buried either as a religious sacrifice to the Gods, or as a secure store of wealth to recover later.

To read the complete article, see:Roman gold coin hoard found in St Albans is 'nationally significant'(www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-19965507)

Philip Mernick writes:

For a related article sent by David Sundman, see:Roman coin hoard discovered in St Albans(www.hertsad.co.uk/news/roman_coin_hoard_discovered_in_st_albans_1_1659995)