A hoard of medieval silver coins near a castle in Devon

Late last year, members of the detectorist society "The Teignbridge History Finders" from Newton Abbot discovered a hoard of silver coins in a field about a mile from Okehampton Castle. It was one of their first ever expeditions. Now the find has been declared a treasure and offered to museums for purchase.

The discovery is "credited" to five finders, members of the aforementioned detectorist society: Paul May, Neil King, Pete Young, Clive Hammett and Jim Luxton. In two expeditions, they discovered a total of 21 silver coins, which were ploughed into an area of about 10 square metres. All the coins lay between 15 and 20 cm deep. Some are nearly three quarters of a millennium old. The collection contains coins from the period between 1282 and 1434, when Edward I (1272-1307), Edward III (1327-1377) and Henry VI (1422-1361) reigned.

Prospectors with metal detectors have named the treasure "Okey Hoard" after a nearby castle. Society leader Jim Luxton said the coins have historical significance but "won't make anyone rich". Even so, he said everyone is enjoying the success: 'It's a good find for everyone involved. Although more treasure is being found every day, it's still very exciting; you don't find treasure every every day," he explained, adding that this is the first big find for the association, which was only founded a year ago. Back then, its members were on their third and fourth expeditions together.

Medieval Okehampton Castle was built between 1068 and 1086 by Norman Lord Baldwin FitzGilbert under the Norman Conquest of England. He built the castle soon afterwards when he put down a rebellion in Devon against Norman rule, and apparently also received gifts of extensive land in the county at that time. The castle served as FitzGilbert's principal residence and, along with several other castles, was part of a network guarding the main road into Cornwall and the crossings of the West Okement.

The owner of the field, who wishes to remain anonymous, cooperated with the group in reporting the find, which is required by the Treasure Act 1996 due to the age and composition of the coins. "We have been in regular contact with the finds liaison officer and have kept them informed of what is happening with the coins," said Jim Luxton. "They have gone through the process of being assessed by the coroner and are now being offered to museums. It is highly unlikely that anyone will buy them; they are normally then returned to the finders. But we are nowhere near that yet. It can take two to three years to process," he added.

Roman Němec

Sources: bbc.com, middevonadvertiser.co.uk

five finders' coins

Okehampton Castle

Eight coins discovered by Neil King during his first expedition

The Teignbridge History Finders Society with detectors Minelab at the treasure site, left to right Pete Young, Neil King, Jim Luxton, Clive Hammett and Paul May

Three coins found by Paul May

The last coin found by Jim Luxton on his second visit