The 700-year-old relics could be largest discovery of their kind on the island
In the video Chris says: “We’re going to have to phone somebody!” and James, 53, says: “I can see a big pile there Chris. There are hundreds and hundreds of them. Look at them!”
The pals have notified the authorities under the Treasure Act. A special vehicle is being sent to take the coins to the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff on Wednesday for assessment.
It was on December 28 when Chris said his pal James had found a few coins scattered across the undisclosed field. They each triggered a noise like when a metal detector identifies a discarded can of Coke.
They could have been spilled from a purse, said Chris. But the concentration of beeps intrigued him and he focussed his attention on certain spots with the exciting sounds becoming more and more intense.
He then unearthed more and more of the mud-caked beauties. Chris, who has asked that the location remains a secret, said the Medieval hoard of coins dates from the time of King Edward I, who reigned from 1272 to 1307.
“They’re struck on both sides – on the obverse there’s the king’s crown and on the reverse is a cross. As a responsible metal detectorist I was not allowed to clean these coins. I closed the hole and reported it to the National Museum of Wales”.
It was only later that they were allowed to take them out. It’s not the first find Chris, of Anglesey, has made.
“They’re struck on both sides – on the obverse there’s the king’s crown and on the reverse is a cross. As a responsible metal detectorist I was not allowed to clean these coins. I closed the hole and reported it to the National Museum of Wales”.
It was only later that they were allowed to take them out. It’s not the first find Chris, of Anglesey, has made.
He said: “I’ve been metal detecting for two and a half years. I’ve had some amazing finds including a 3,000-year-old axe head, a Roman brooch and gold rings. I record everything with the Gwynedd Archeological Trust (GAT).”
The coin finders have told the authorities including GAT and the National Museum of Wales about their latest bonanza. He was even contacting officials the following day, December 29, when he was on a short break in Hungary.
Chris said: “I’m hoping it’s going to be the biggest hoard of Medieval coins on Anglesey and they can be displayed at Oriel Mon.”
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