THE Frome Hoard - a massive collection of silver and bronze Roman coins - is to be housed in Taunton.
The National Heritage Memorial Fund has today announced a grant of £294,026 to the Museum of Somerset which will ensure the hoard will remain in the county, where it was discovered.
A total of £320,250 was needed to keep the coins in Somerset but that has now been raised along with a further £100,000 for the hoard's conservation.
The Frome Hoard was discovered by metal detectorist, Dave Crisp last April.
It is the second largest collection of Roman coins ever found in Britain and the largest ever to have been found in one single container.
Steve Minnitt, Head of the Museum of Somerset, said: “The Frome Hoard has received a tremendous amount of public interest locally and from around the world and I am delighted that the campaign to acquire it was successful.
"Timing is perfect as we prepare for the opening of the Museum of Somerset in the summer of 2011.
"The story will not end there however. As the hoard undergoes study over the next year or two many more of its secrets will be unlocked.”
Comprising 52,503 coins dating between 253 and 293 AD, the hoard covers the issues of 26 different Roman emperors and some have never been seen before.
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