A SMALL hoard of silver Roman and gold Celtic coins found on a Mole Valley farm may not go to a museum after all.
The collection, which dates back some 2,000 years, was expected to be purchased for about £1,000 by Guildford Museum.
But now the museum says it does not want to buy the 15 ancient coins and six small votive objects found at Norwood Hill, Charlwood in 2010 and 2011.
Its heritage officer, Jill Draper, who authorises acquisitions, said she was unaware the museum had told the British Museum it was keen to buy the collection, after an inquest at Woking decided the hoard was "treasure trove" and belonged to the Crown.
David Williams, Surrey County Council's finds liaison officer, said he feared the collection will now be split up, and the finds handed back to the individuals who found them.
"Guildford is Surrey's only museum of the type suitable for finds like this. Now, after all these years, they don't want items from outside Guildford," he said.
He has notified members of the Weald and Downland Metal Detecting Club, which found the items, that Guildford Museum is no longer in a position to acquire the collection, but he is now exploring other avenues.
In a letter to members, Mr Williams told members of Guildford Museum's decision.
Ms Draper told Mr Williams: "I was surprised to receive the invoice for these items from the British Museum in August, as I'd not approved the acquisition and had heard nothing of them up to that point. I would expect to be aware of treasure items, as purchases must be approved by me.
"In addition, in April 2012, we'd put a temporary halt on collecting, except in exceptional circumstances, and I'd asked curatorial staff to give me information about existing commitments that were in the pipeline."
Ms Draper apologised for the confusion, and added that she had carefully considered the Charlwood items.
She added: "I took into account their cost – double an annual acquisitions budget that was committed for 2012-13.
"Charlwood, on the borders of Surrey and Sussex, is well outside our primary focus and remit."
Mr Williams told the museum "I regard this as a disappointment as I have put a fair amount of work into persuading the detector club responsible to regard the finds from this site as a single hoard which ought to be acquired."
Mr Williams said Dorking Museum would have been approached but it is not accredited by the British Museum to acquire treasure items.
