The find was described as "the most important discovery of Iron Age gold objects" for fifty years;[3] and the items were probably an "expensive", "diplomatic gift".

The hoard was discovered near Winchester over a series of trips to a farmer's ploughed field in September, October, and December, 2000[3] by retired florist[1][2] and amateur metal detectorist Kevan Halls.

[1][3] The find was called "the most important discovery of Iron Age gold objects"[3][4] since the Snettisham Hoard, over fifty years previously.

[1] Given that gold brooches from the Iron Age are more rare than silver ones—in fact, this was only the third discovery of its kind from Britain, and one of "less than a dozen" from Northern Europe[3]—it was possible to date the hoard more accurately by these.

The design was close to typical Iron Age torcs, but were made "using Roman or Hellenistic Greek technology",[2][3] although this was several years before the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 AD – in other words, the execution was beyond the manufacturing knowledge of the Celts,[8] and a link between Britain, Rome and Greece before such historical events.

[5] The dichotomy of Roman craftmanship against "Barbarian taste"[8] was further reinforced by Dr Jeremy Hills, who compiled both the British Museum and Treasure Annual Report for the hoard,[3][4] by stating, "I would have liked them to have been made in Britain, but they weren't...

[1] Ingratiating themselves with pro-Roman tribal kings, the Romans would have found it easier to quell internal unrest, thus making the recipients "puppet rulers beholden to the superpower of their age".

However, it could have a link to the Gaul turncoat, Commius, who eventually became king of the Atrebates after fleeing a position as aide to Caesar which he took up in 56 BC.