Found a unique treasure of the Iron Age: it contained the very first coins in the world

In West London, archaeologists have discovered the Hillingdon Hoard: more than 300 potinae from the Iron Age. Scientists

the find is believed to be at least 2,100 years old. The treasure was discovered during excavations at the construction site of the HS2 high-speed train line. 

Let us remind you that potin is an ancient alloy of copper withhigh content of tin, lead and sometimes zinc with admixtures of other metals. Pothin is a base metal alloy similar to silver used in coins. As a rule, it is a mixture of copper, tin and lead (in varying proportions).

The unique find was named "TreasureHillingdon ". The fact is that about 300 potins were discovered in the borough of the same name in West London in August last year. The coins found, potina, were in progress during the Iron Age, the period when the Romans began to settle in Britain and founded Londinium in 47 AD.

Scientists are not yet sure for what purpose the ancientspeople used these coins in the 1st century BC. The fact is that at that time the main method of trade was barter - the exchange of some goods or services for others. Historians speculate that they may have been used as an offering to the ancient gods. However, the possibility is not excluded that ancient coins were used for their intended purpose. For example, a treasure could play the role of savings in case of an emergency or financial crisis.

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