A collection of rare ancient coins have been found hidden away in the back of a drawer in Kent.

186 coins spanning 25 centuries were discovered tucked away in a cardboard box at the back of a drawer at Scotney Castle near Lamberhurst.

The incredible collection features coins from places as far away as Syria and China and dates back to the 7th century BC with coins from ancient Greece.

Julian Bowsher, a coin specialist with MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology), said: "A particular highlight was seeing Roman coins that rarely appear in Britain, such as those of the 3rd century emperors Balbinus, Pupienus and Aemilian, none of whom ruled for more than a year."

The stash was uncovered by National Trust volunteers searching a study for photographs of the Hussey family occupied the 14th century moted castle for 200 years.

Henrike Philipp, one of the volunteers who stumbled upon the coins, said: "Ever since the Trust took on the house we’ve been discovering things in drawers, cupboards and in the mansion archives, such as medieval papers, First World War diaries and books by celebrated landscape gardener William Gilpin.

"Discoveries of rare coins such as these don’t happen often, so this has been especially exciting. We can’t wait to see what we will find next."

The National Trust took ownership of the house following the death of last owner, Elizabeth Hussey, in 2006 and opened its doors to the public in 2007.

Research into the family’s diaries suggests that Edward Hussey III and his son Edwy accumulated the coins during the 19th century.

The pair were avid coin enthusiasts with one entry in Edwy’s diary on February 2, 1883 noting: "went to the British Museum with papa as he wanted to ask about some coins".

The coins will be part of new exhibition held at Scotney Castle called Inside the Collection and will be shown alongside other objects from the house.

The exhibition will run from Saturday, November 4 until Sunday, February 4.