A hoard of 300-400 Ro silver coins was found in 1849 whilst straightening the Mansfield and Pinxton railway near the King's Mill, Mansfield (almost certainly at SK 521598 where a steep curve has been straightened). It was in a pot 2ft below the surface, and included coins of Augustus, Vespasian, L Aelius, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, M Aurelius, Commodus, Septimus Severus and Geta. The hoard was dispersed by the workmen. (1)

Description in the Nottingham Guardian March 8, 1849 p. 3 notes the hoard was found near King's Mill during the levelling of one of several green fields. The paper notes that in order to adapt the line to steam power “in doing so it has been found necessary to alter the course near to the King's Mill, by cutting through several green fields belonging to his Grace the Duke of Portland and in the occupation of Mr Adlington” and it was found “during the process of levelling one of these fields”. According to the Nottingham Review March 9 1849, p. 3, the hoard was found on elevated ground 6 to 8 yards right of the old line. This location description would suggest the discovery was made near the start of the railway alignment process, and would place the findspot south of King's Mill, possibly under the current resevoir, around SK519597. This is approximately 300m west of where the hoard is suggested to have been located by Seaman in 1974. (5)

<1> British Archaeological Assoc, 1850, JBAA, pp 160,375 (Published document). SNT189.

<2> Seaman BH, 1974, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1252.

<3> VCH, 1910, Notts, p 28 (Published document). SNT1384.

<4> Royal Arch Institute, 1886, Archaeological Journal, p 38 (Published document). SNT103.

<5> 2026, Tom Walsh (Personal comment). SNT6077.