A hoard of Roman coins was found in December 1986 by builders digging foundation trenches for new houses on a huge devolpment at Minster (TQ 9573 ). The coins had been contained in a large coarse vessel which had been lifted cleanly by a mechanical excavator, dropped into a dumper truck and dumped into a spoil heap c100 ft away. It was not until the truck returned that the scattered coins were seen and recovered. They were then sent to the British Museum for consideration as Treasure Trove. The site of the discovery was later visited and the trench re-excavated by members of the Kent Archaeological Rescue unit. No further remains were found. The British Museum has suggested that the hoard consisted of about 2,500 bronze radiates, mostly dating from 250-282 AD. It must have been deposited in the late 3rd century when there was considerable instability due to Saxon raids on the Roman shipping-lanes (1). Further details and a chart reference (2).

<1> KAR 88 Summer 1987 175 (B.Philp) (OS Card Reference). SKE45465.

<2> KAR 90 1987 217-222 (B.Philp) (OS Card Reference). SKE45466.