Medieval Treasure Found in Field
A trove of 13th-century silver coins has been discovered in a Derbyshire field and declared treasure. The coins date back to the reign of Henry III and offer new insights into medieval commerce and economics — police also stumbled upon a remarkable Roman discovery during a routine patrol elsewhere in the UK.
Any discovery of gold or silver objects more than 300 years old in the UK must be reported under the Treasure Act of 1996. This legislation allows museums the opportunity to acquire significant historical finds, with the proceeds typically split between the finder and the landowner. The entire process is managed by the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), which records archaeological objects found by the public to advance historical knowledge. The reign of Henry III, which spanned from 1216 to 1272, was a significant period for English coinage. While he is known for reintroducing gold coinage in 1257, silver pennies remained the backbone of the medieval economy. These silver coins, often featuring a "long cross" design on the reverse, were used in daily transactions for everything from purchasing goods to paying wages. The value of such finds can vary dramatically. While a recent hoard of over 2,500 silver pennies from the Norman Conquest period was valued at £4.3 million, the worth of this new discovery is yet to be determined by the Treasure Valuation Committee. In a separate find, a single, extremely rare Henry III gold penny discovered by a metal detectorist in Devon sold at auction for £648,000. Derbyshire has a rich history of archaeological discoveries made by the public. Other recent finds in the county that have been declared treasure include a hoard of Roman coins, a medieval gold finger ring, and four silver coins dating from the 14th century. These discoveries contribute to a deeper understanding of the region's long history.
