About Aureus Adventures

This is a short story writing competion for 5 - 13 year olds, based around an aureus (a type of coin) found on the Vindolanda excavations. It is the only gold coin found at Vindolanda and was around 400 years old when it was lost. If only that coin could talk and tell us who it had met, where it had travelled and the sights it has witnessed, its story would be incredible. In this writing competition we want you to get creative and write short story based around the life this coin may have led in those long years of use. 

The Rules:

Your story must be:

• No more than 500 words
• Your own original work
• Submitted in English
• A responsible adult must submit the form for the child on the Vindolanda Website.
• The deadline is: October 31st 2020.
• Set the story during the Roman period and let your imagination run wild!

How to submit your story:

A responsible adult must submit your story to us online via the form on the Aureus Adventures webpage. Make sure your submission contains your responsible adult's name and contact details, your name and age and the title of your story (not included in the word count).

How will it be judged?

It will be judged in 3 age categories 5-7, 8-10 and 11-13. The stories will be judged on originality, enjoyment, characterisation, plot and language, rather than grammar, spelling or punctuation.

The prizes:

The top 3 stories from each age category will be published online on our website. In each category 3rd prize is £10 book token and 2nd prize is a £20 book token. The winner in each category will receive a £50 book token and have their story narrated by Vindolanda Patron Robson Green which will be available to listen to on our website.

The winners in each category will be notified by the end of November.

Competition Homepage