A rare gold Roman coin, believed to be the first of its kind discovered in Britain, is set to be auctioned and could fetch up to £50,000. The coin, an aureus of Emperor Aulus Vitellius dating back to 69 AD, was unearthed by Ron Walters, a 76-year-old retired welder, after six years of searching a farmer's field near Dudley.
Walters, who was encouraged by his wife to get out of the house, found the coin just two feet below the surface. Experts believe this is the first gold aureus of Vitellius ever found in the British Isles.
The coin was authenticated by the British Museum and returned to Walters, who then contacted Fieldings Auctioneers. Walters will split the proceeds with the landowner.
Mark Hannam of Fieldings Auctioneers described the coin as a "genuinely amazing find" and a "unique piece of history." The coin is estimated to sell for between £5,000 and £6,000, but similar coins have sold for much more.
Vitellius ruled as Roman Emperor for only eight months during the tumultuous "Year of the Four Emperors."