ARCHAEOLOGISTS excavating a former allotment in Soham have discovered a rare Roman coin that is believed to have travelled its way right across the ancient empire.
A coin commemorating the city of Rome was discovered by a team from Archaeological Solutions, which has been excavating a site at Fordham Road for the last six months on behalf of developer Hopkins Homes.
Hopkins is planning to build dozens of new homes on the former allotments.
On one side of the coin is the head of the deity Roma, wearing a curiass and helmet. She represented the physical embodiment of the ancient Roman capital.
On the reverse is a depiction of the supposed founders of the city, Romulus and Remus, being suckled by the she-wolf Lupa.
The coin can be dated to between 332-333AD, in the reign of Emperor Constantine.
According to finds expert Andrew Peachey, the coin was minted in Lyon, France, before making its way into the hands of a resident in Soham.
Previous finds at the Fordham Road site have included two burials and evidence of agriculture and industry.
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