A COLLECTION of ancient Roman coins discovered by a metal detector enthusiast has gone on public display.

The so-called Riddlesden Hoard, comprising more than a hundred silver coins, can now be seen at Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley.

Stephen Auker, who lives in Riddlesden, made the find while searching a field in the village in March 2014.

He had only recently taken up the hobby after being bought a metal detector for Christmas.

Following his discovery of the first few coins, Mr Auker informed the authorities and a team of volunteers was brought in to help with the search.

In total, 110 coins – the earliest from 75AD – were found over six weeks, scattered across a wide area.

The coins – subsequently declared treasure trove – date from the time of Roman emperors such as Hadrian, Trajan and Marcus Aurelius.

"I am absolutely thrilled and excited that they are now on public display," said Mr Auker, 59.

"I've several other finds too going through the processes at the moment but these things take time."

Within two months of discovering the coins, Mr Auker uncovered a Tudor merchant ring dating from about 1550, which is currently in storage at Cliffe Castle.

Each trove was valued at £400, to be split between Mr Auker – who put his share into a charity pot for Cancer Research UK – and the landowners.

Last month he learned that rare Roman intaglio rings, uncovered locally last year by himself and fellow detectorist Mark Shepherdson during a search of pastureland in the district, had also been declared treasure trove.

The Roman coins were bought for Cliffe Castle with support from the museum's Friends.

Maggie Pedley, Bradford Council's head of service for museums and galleries, said she was delighted the find was now on show.

"This was an amazing discovery and we are so pleased that Mr Auker brought it to the attention of the portable antiquities scheme – meaning that a full-scale archaeological dig could take place," she added.

Sarah Ferriby, the Council's executive member for environment, sport and culture, said it was believed the coins were part of a larger find initially made in the 1770s.

"This is great news for the museum and the district," she said.

"We hope that many people will visit Cliffe Castle to witness these historic coins."

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