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Friday, 21st November 2008 (1901 views)

A gold leaf dating from the Roman era was discovered in a field near Clifton, Nottingham, by a husband and wife.

Amateur treasure hunters Alice and David Wright used a metal detector to make the discovery, the Derby Evening Telegraph reports.

The couple from Littleover found the 35mm gold artefact in March this year and it has since been authenticated by the British Museum as a Roman votive leaf.

The leaf would have been used as a gift at a temple between the first and fourth centuries AD and a coroner has declared it treasure trove.

"It was clear to us straight away it was ancient gold because of its distinctive deep-yellow colour," Mr Wright told the newspaper. "This is 22-c, which means it is almost pure gold."

According to This is Nottingham, a museum is interested in acquiring the gold leaf and it will be valued over the coming months.

Figures from the British Museum for 2007 have shown that 749 objects were reported found last year, as metal detectors become increasingly popular.

 

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