Friends Strike Gold with ‘Remarkable’ Discovery in Welsh Field
In a thrilling turn of events, two friends embarked on a metal detecting adventure in a Welsh field and stumbled upon a treasure trove of historical significance. Chris Evans and James Fraser, both passionate about exploring with metal detectors, unearthed approximately 400 Medieval coins in a field located on Anglesey. This extraordinary find may mark the largest discovery of its kind on the island. The duo had received permission to scan the land in the northwest corner of Anglesey during the previous weekend. The discovery left Chris, 47, exhilarated as he recounts, “It was a whopping signal. The beeping nearly blew my ears off! It was amazing.”
Their uncovering revealed a remarkable cache of silver coins, encrusted with mud yet thought to date back over 700 years to the era of the famous castle constructor, King Edward I. Following standard procedure, Chris and James promptly reported their find to the appropriate authorities under the Treasure Act. Specialized arrangements were made to transport the coins to the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff for thorough examination. Chris mentioned that James initially stumbled upon a handful of coins scattered across an area of the field on December 28, likening the noise to that of a metal detector signaling a discarded object like a Coke can. Speculating that the coins may have spilled out of a purse, Chris expressed that the hoard of coins is believed to belong to the time of King Edward I, who reigned from 1272 to 1307. The coins feature a crown on one side and a cross on the reverse but were left uncleaned as per Chris’ responsible metal detecting practices.
This notable discovery adds to Chris’s previous significant findings, which include a 3,000-year-old axe head, a Roman brooch, and gold rings, all documented with the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust (GAT). In adherence to the law, Chris wasted no time in notifying the relevant authorities, such as GAT and the National Museum of Wales, about the coins. He expressed his hope that this haul of Medieval coins could potentially be the largest on Anglesey and be put on display at Oriel Mon. An official evaluation will determine if the coins qualify as treasure, in which case the value will be equitably divided between the landowner and the finders, with Chris intending to share his portion with James. Alan Tamblyn, the general secretary for the National Council for Metal Detecting, commended the duo for their responsible conduct in promptly reporting their discovery. He shared his slight envy, admitting, “I’ve been detecting for 25 years and I’ve yet to find a hoard like that” while expressing his joy for Chris and James. Mr Tamblyn encouraged those interested in metal detecting to explore the NCMD website for guidance on responsible practices.
In conclusion, the remarkable find by Chris Evans and James Fraser serves as a testament to the excitement and historical value encapsulated within Wales’s landscapes. Their exemplary actions in following legal protocols and preserving the integrity of the discovery reflect the significance of responsible metal detecting practices. As the coins undergo expert analysis, the anticipation grows for the potential acknowledgment of this find as a valuable piece of Welsh history, enriching our understanding of the past.
By Bethany Gavaghan
(Source: Original article from Wales Online)