Coin used to pay for bus fare belongs to ancient civilisation

10 Mar 2026 • 8:36 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • An ancient coin, used as bus fare in Leeds during the 1950s, has been identified as originating from the Carthaginians in Cadiz, Spain, dating back to the 1st century BC.
  • The coin was initially given to a local bus driver before landing in the hands of former chief cashier with Leeds City Transport, James Edwards, who then gifted it to his grandson, Peter, who kept it in a wooden chest for over 70 years.
  • Archaeologists from the University of Leeds confirmed its Carthaginian origin, noting it bears the face of the god Melqart, resembling the Greek hero Herakles.
  • Peter, now 77, expressed his desire for the coin to be studied, leading to its donation to Leeds Museums and Galleries.
  • The coin is now part of the Leeds Discovery Centre's collection, highlighting how ancient artefacts can unexpectedly appear in modern settings.

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