A ROMAN-ERA coin found in a field near Brampton is to go back up for auction, after failing to attract a bidder.

The ancient currency, traced by Ian Hughes from Carlisle in July 2017, originally went under the hammer last month in Derbyshire, but was unsuccessful in being sold.

Now, in a second attempt to find a buyer, the coin - which was valued at several thousand pounds by auctioneers - will go up for sale at an event held by Hansons.

The coin has been identified as a silver denarius, which was struck for Vindex, a Roman governor during the revolt in Gallia Lugdunensis, a province of what is now France, between March and May in AD 68.

Ian said: “I’m afraid the coin didn’t reach the reserve price and remained unsold at the close of the auction in August. My understanding is that it’s being put back in to another auction later this month.

“The auctioneers are very hopeful that it will exceed the estimate this time, which remains between £2,000-£3,000.

“They base this on the fact that the sale is for specialist collectors, as opposed to a ‘general’ historical sale of other Roman coins and artefacts.”

Despite the knock-back, Ian remains optimistic that the coin will be sold.

“It is a bit disappointing that the coin didn’t sell first time round but that is the nature of auctions, and that you never know what will happen on the day.

“If the coin does not sell second time round, then I would be happy to keep it but in all probability, it would be returned to go into another specialist coin auction on another day,” Ian added.

Hansons have confirmed the Vindex coin will go under the hammer once again in November.

Mark Becher, from the metal detecting finds team at Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It didn’t quite meet the reserve we felt it was worth. So, the coin will go up for sale again on Monday, November 25 at 10am, and people will be able to make a bid online.”