Rare Coins Stolen in Fareham

5 May 2010, 12:42 | Updated: 5 May 2010, 12:57

Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Constabulary are appealing for the return of a collection of rare coins, taken from Westbury Manor Museum, Fareham, on Thursday 29 April.

The rare coins that disappeared include two gold Iron Age coins, or ‘Cheriton type’ staters and 19 silver Tudor coins. The Iron Age coins are over 2000 years old, have a Celtic pattern on them and are around the size of a one pound coin. The Tudor coins, which date back to 450 years ago, include two with Philip of Spain and Mary Tudor on, while the rest have images of Elizabeth I on them. The Tudor coins vary in size from a two pence to a 10 pence piece.

PC Faye Bell from Hampshire Constabulary said: "We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding how these coins went missing from the display cabinet they were in, and we are very keen to hear from anyone who has information about who took them. Additionally, anyone who knows the whereabouts of the coins now should also get in touch"