Large Roman coin collection to go on sale

Halls auctioneers said the coins were in especially good condition, considering their age

A collection of 501 Roman coins dating back to 69AD are due to be sold at auction and could fetch up to £10,000.

They belonged to a man from London who started collecting coins in the 1960s and were put up for sale by his niece following his death.

Halls auctioneers in Shrewsbury, who are handling the sale, said it was rare to see a collection of this size.

Auctioneer Derek Ainsworth said they were also in especially good condition, considering their age.

He said the original owner of the coins had built up his collection over a number of years, buying the best of the coins from auction houses and dealers.

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When his niece, who lives in Shropshire, showed them to Mr Ainsworth he told her: "You've made my day, my week and my year."

The collection includes a number of silver Denarii

The silver and bronze coins were produced between the reigns of Emperors Vespasian (69-79AD) and Maximinus II (305-313AD). The collection will be sold in a number of lots on Wednesday.