A new British king? Gold coin discovered in Hampshire bears the name “Esunertos” – a previously unknown Iron Age ruler

British history may have been rewritten after a coin bearing the name of a forgotten Iron Age ruler was discovered.

The coin was found by a metal detector in a field in Hampshire and is stamped ‘Esunertos’.

Experts believe that Esunertos may have ruled as king from Danebury Fort, calling the find “one of the outstanding discoveries of the last few decades”.

The gold coin was originally expected to fetch around £4,000 at auction.

However, it set a new world record after selling for a staggering £20,400 this week.

British history may have been rewritten after a coin bearing the name of a forgotten Iron Age ruler was discovered

The coin was unearthed in a farmer’s field by metal detectorist Lewis Fudge in March this year after he was given permission to search

The coin was unearthed in a farmer’s field by metal detectorist Lewis Fudge in March this year after he was given permission to search.

“I’m over the moon, if it wasn’t for the people in the auction room I would have been jumping around,” Mr Fudge said.

“The collectors I spoke to are speechless. I’m so glad I didn’t accept their private offers before the auction.

“To think that my find has generated its own Wikipedia page is incredible.”

The expected proceeds were around £4,000 when auctioneer Spink frantically bid, and the price rose to £20,400 (including buyer’s premium). It surpassed the world record for a similar type of coin, a “Medusa” quarter-stater, which was set at 10,800 pounds.

The coin was minted sometime between 50 and 30 BC. Minted in 55 BC, shortly after Julius Caesar’s first Roman raid on Britain in 55 BC. BC

He landed on the Kent coast with a fleet of ships containing 20,000 Roman soldiers.

Thousands of Celtic warriors waited for them on the beach, but the Romans were forced to return home after difficulty getting to land and rough seas wrecked their boats.

Experts believe Esunertos may have ruled as king from Danebury Fort (pictured), calling the find “one of the outstanding discoveries of recent decades”.

The artist’s impression shows what Danebury Hill Fort might have looked like in its heyday

Caesar returned the following year with 50,000 soldiers, defeated many tribes and marched to the Thames.

But after three months of fighting, they set out to stop a rebellion in Gaul.

Long-term settlement of Britain by Rome did not occur until AD 43, when Claudius was emperor.

Leading Iron Age experts have since examined the coin and concluded that it was minted by a prominent male figure called “IISVNIRTOS,” whose name translates to “Powerful as the god Esos.”

One theory is that he may have ruled as king from the nearby fortress of Danebury Hill.

Dr. John Sills, from the Celtic Coin Index at the Ashmolean Museum, said: “It is one of the outstanding discoveries of the last few decades in Celtic numismatics.”

Gregory Edmund, Iron Age coin specialist at Spink auction house, who led the team of experts in recording this new find, added: “This fabulous prehistoric work of art completes the picture we have when we think of Iron Age Britain – this War horse and chariot.

“But it also surprises us with the emergence of classical languages ​​like Latin.”

“This is why I come to work; to document discoveries of national importance and to share this knowledge directly with museums, as well as with scientists, collectors and the general public.

“For me personally, this find is a special confirmation.”

“My university degree focused on the Roman invasion of Britain from the perspective of Britain’s first coinage.”

“It is electrifying to now include an extremely important witness to these seismic events in the birth of our island’s history.”

“Despite the coin’s small size, the name of its creator – Esunertos – truly resonates today.”

“Esunertos was once forgotten, but now his name looms large in the historical record.”