Ron Walters Finds His Stash Of Gold Coins

The coin, believed to be the first gold aureus of Emperor Aulus Vitellius to be recorded as a find in the British Isles, was unearthed by Kingswinford great grandad, Ron Walters

A great grandad who has been a metal detectorist for 50 years has sold a rare gold coin for thousands of pounds after it was unearthed in a farmer’s field.

The coin, which is believed to be the first gold aureus of Emperor Aulus Vitellius to be recorded as a find in the British Isles, was unearthed by Kingswinford’s Ron Walters.

The 76-year-old, who started the hobby when he was in his mid-20s, said he stumbled across the coin, which dates back to 69 AD, after being told by his wife to get out of the house "for a bit".

The coin was found by Kingswinford great grandad, Ron Walters (Image: Black Country History Hunters / SWNS)After being returned to Mr Walters from the British Museum, the coin went to auction at Fieldings Auctioneers in Stourbridge today (March 27), being sold for a respectable £4,700.

The coin was found by Kingswinford great grandad, Ron Walters (Image: Black Country History Hunters / SWNS)After being returned to Mr Walters from the British Museum, the coin went to auction at Fieldings Auctioneers in Stourbridge today (March 27), being sold for a respectable £4,700.

A similar coin fetched around £50,000 when it was auctioned in Switzerland last year, however, Mark Hannam, Senior Coin Specialist and Auctioneer at Fieldings, said he was pleased with the outcome of the sale nonetheless.

A similar coin fetched around £50,000 when it was auctioned in Switzerland last year, however, Mark Hannam, Senior Coin Specialist and Auctioneer at Fieldings, said he was pleased with the outcome of the sale nonetheless.

Mr Hannam said: “I am very pleased with the result, as the condition of soil and stone action had taken its toll a little, with the coin being in the ground for over 1,900 years.

Mr Hannam said: “I am very pleased with the result, as the condition of soil and stone action had taken its toll a little, with the coin being in the ground for over 1,900 years.

“There was lots of pre-sale interest and bidding was brisk, quickly reaching level.

“There was lots of pre-sale interest and bidding was brisk, quickly reaching level.

The gold Roman coin is believed to be the first of its kind ever found in Britain (Image: Black Country History Hunters / SWNS) “The coin has gone to its new home with a collector in Scotland and I am pleased that it has remained in the UK.”

The gold Roman coin is believed to be the first of its kind ever found in Britain (Image: Black Country History Hunters / SWNS) “The coin has gone to its new home with a collector in Scotland and I am pleased that it has remained in the UK.”

Upon finding the coin, Mr Walters said: "It was really interesting to find something of such historical importance.

Upon finding the coin, Mr Walters said: "It was really interesting to find something of such historical importance.

“I'm looking forward to seeing how it does at auction."

“I'm looking forward to seeing how it does at auction."

Mr Walters said he will split the proceeds from the sale with the field's landowner.