Ancient Carthaginian Coin Discovered Among 1950s Bus Fares in Leeds
A bronze coin collected from bus fares in Leeds, England during the 1950s has been identified as a 2,000-year-old Carthaginian artifact. James Edwards, a chief cashier for Leeds City Transport, originally set aside unusual coins from fare collections. His grandson Peter Edwards later sought expert analysis, which revealed the coin was minted in Gadir (modern-day Cádiz, Spain) during the 1st century BC. The artifact features imagery of the Phoenician god Melqart and tuna fish, reflecting local religious and economic themes. It has been donated to Leeds Museums and Galleries for study and display, illustrating how historical objects can emerge in unexpected contexts.
Key facts
- Coin was used as bus fare in Leeds during the 1950s
- Identified as Carthaginian currency from 1st century BC Spain
- Donated to Leeds Museums and Galleries for preservation and study
Entities
Institutions
- Leeds Museums and Galleries
- Leeds Discovery Centre
- Leeds City Transport
Locations
- Leeds, England
- Cádiz, Spain
- Gadir