Gold Aureus

One of the most celebrated Roman coins found in Wigan is the aureus, found on the Mesnes (now Mesnes Park) in 1850. It is the highest domination of Roman coin, issued under the rule of Emperor Vitellius, who was emperor for just eight months in 69AD. Its discovery implies there was Roman activity in the Wigan Borough as early as that date. The coin is incredibly rare and in a fine state of preservation. It is made out of very pure gold weighing seven grams (similar to a sovereign), with a diameter of 1.75 cm.

Sources:

Roman Wigan by Dennis Brown

Discovering Coccum: The Archaeology of Roman Wigan