An intriguing piece of history has resurfaced in Leeds, England, following the donation of a rare ancient coin that dates back over 2,000 years. This artefact, originally crafted by the Carthaginians during the 1st century BC in the Spanish city of Cadiz, was presented to the Leeds Museums and Galleries by Peter Edwards, who received it as a gift from his grandfather in the 1950s.
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Peter Edwards, now 77, recounts how the coin found its way into his possession. His grandfather, James Edwards, worked as a chief cashier for Leeds City Transport. After the war, he would often encounter foreign or counterfeit coins while counting the daily takings from bus and tram drivers. Rather than discarding them, he chose to keep these unusual coins and offer them to his grandson whenever he visited.
“It wasn’t long after the war, so I imagine that some soldiers returned with coins from various countries they had served in,” Peter remarked. “We weren’t coin collectors, but we were fascinated by their origins and the imagery they bore – to me, they felt like treasure.”
After years of curiosity about the artefact’s history, Peter undertook some research and discovered that the coin was associated with a Carthaginian settlement. The obverse side of the coin features the face of Melqart, a deity associated with the Phoenicians, depicted in a style reminiscent of the Greek hero Herakles and adorned with his distinctive lionskin headdress. This blend of cultures illustrates how Phoenician coins occasionally incorporated Greek motifs to appeal to traders of the time.
In March, Leeds City Council issued a press release detailing the donation, highlighting its historical significance and rarity. The museum’s curator of archaeology and numismatics, Kat Baxter, expressed excitement over the find, noting the importance of such a discovery for public engagement with history.
Peter opted to donate the coin to ensure it could be properly studied and appreciated by a wider audience. “My first thought when I learned about its origin was that I wanted it to return to a place where it could be examined,” he explained. “I was fortunate to find that Leeds Museums and Galleries was willing to give it a good home. It’s a profound feeling to know that my grandfather would be proud, and I am equally proud that the coin is returning to Leeds, even if its journey remains somewhat of a mystery.”
The ancient coin is set to reside at the Leeds Discovery Centre, which houses a variety of historic coins and currencies. Councillor Salma Arif commented on the remarkable nature of the acquisition, emphasizing that it demonstrates how artefacts from ancient civilisations can unexpectedly end up influencing local history.
“It’s breathtaking to think that this tiny relic created by an ancient culture thousands of years ago has made its way to Leeds and become a part of our collection,” Arif remarked. “Museums are not just about the preservation of objects; they also serve as spaces for storytelling, encouraging visitors to reflect on the historical narratives surrounding them, often found in the most unexpected places.”
As the coin takes its place among other historical objects, it serves as a reminder of the connections that transcend time and geography, igniting curiosity about the exchanges that have shaped our world. The story of the ancient Carthaginian coin is not just one of monetary value; it represents a link to a rich tapestry of cultural history and the enduring legacy of past civilisations.