This is the moment two friends found an “amazing” hoard of about 400 Medieval coins in Anglesey field. It could be the largest such discovery on the island.
Metal detectorists Chris Evans and James Fraser had been out on a farmer’s land – with his permission – in the north west of Anglesey last weekend. Chris, 47, who was using a metal detector, beamed: “It was a whopping signal.
“The beeping nearly blew my ears off! It was amazing”. They had discovered an incredible collection of mud-covered, silver coins, which appear to date back more than 700 years to the time of castle builder King Edward I.
This hoard of suspected Medieval silver coins was unearthed in an Anglesey field
(Image: Chris Evans)
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.
Friends Chris Evans (left) and James Fraser found this hoard of suspected Medieval silver coins in an Anglesey field
(Image: Chris Evans)
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.
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).”
Metal detectorist Chris Evans with an ancient axe head found on a previous trip. He and his friend James Fraser shout ‘Hammered’ – referring to how some coins have been hammered out – when they find old coins, which explains the reference on his T-shirt
(Image: Chris Evans)
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.”
An inquest will be held to establish whether they are treasure. If so a value will be set and, if sold, the proceeds will be divided equally between the landowner and the finders. Chris will split the value of his share with James.
Alan Tamblyn, general secretary for the National Council for Metal Detecting, said Chris and James had acted correctly in reporting their discovery. He admitted he was “jealous”.
“I’ve been detecting for 25 years and I’ve yet to find a hoard like that. I’m extremely jealous! I’m really chuffed for them,” he said. Mr Tamblyn urged budding metal detectorists to visit the NCMD website which has information about how to detect responsibly.