A ROMAN coin dating from the fourth century has been discovered at a nature reserve in Snape.

Kate McGrath

A ROMAN coin dating from the fourth century has been discovered at a nature reserve in Snape.

The historic coin was found by a local archaeologist earlier this year at RSPB Abbey Farm and is believed to date from 347 AD, during the reign of Constantius II and his brother Constans.

Constans visited Britain in 343, probably to repel the Scots or Picts, after becoming joint emperor of Rome with his brother.

Rob Macklin, RSPB Suffolk Coast area manager, said: “Abbey Farm is known to be a site of historical interest. As the name suggests, there was previously an abbey here, but this find shows that the Snape area has been occupied since at least Roman times.

“It's a really exciting find. It's amazing that the pattern was still identifiable to allow us to age this coin after nearly 1700 years.”

Abbey Farm, which is a new nature reserve, is a project between the RSPB and the Environment Agency. It hopes to create freshwater reedbeds for rare species such as bitterns, otters and bearded tits.

Mr Macklin added: “Many existing coastal reedbeds are increasingly vulnerable to saltwater flooding due to sea level rise, and Abbey Farm will provide a valuable alternative habitat.”