Words by Matthew Denney
It must be every metal detectorist’s dream… the sound in the headphones of a hopeful tone, the shine in the earth of a coin lost for centuries coming to light for the first time. The first coin followed by another, then a gold coin and more silver! This is just what happened, to one experienced and lucky detectorist!
Having spent a clear but chilly Autumn morning in a field usually used for grazing, it was only when having given up on the day, the pair turned back towards their car and within seconds a silver groat, then three more…
The potential of the site was immediately clear and after careful work with fellow detectorists alongside the landowner, the full extent of the hoard was revealed. Naturally, correct procedure was followed, and the collection of coins were recorded on the PAS scheme and a Coroner’s report compiled stating the full detail of the find.
Quoting from this report, the quality and importance of the find is immediately apparent:- “The coins belong to the reigns of Henry IV, first reign and Edward IV first reign, the period of the Wars of the Roses. They are a highly selected group of good condition, high value coins and do not simply reflect the general coinage in circulation at the time. The majority of the coins appear to be a group of closely dated coins of the same denomination… This close grouping does not reflect the general distribution in coinage at the time and may reflect specific episodes of payment or saving of money, brought as a group from the mint.… a closure date for the hoard of 1468 or 1469….”.
Further recorded in a fully illustrated three-page article in Treasure Hunting Magazine for June 1919, this is a well recorded and properly reported find.
The collection was offered for sale in our Autumn militaria, coins and medals sale and sold for £21,630. Virtually every day someone will call into our offices with coins to be looked at; these inevitably range from the finest gold coins to more straightforward heavily circulated coppers.
The excitement of looking through a quantity of coins be they an accumulation or a fine collection, never diminishes. With a long held interest in coins and medals, specialist Matthew Denney is always keen to see interesting and unusual items and researching the history that these sales cover.
If you have items that you would like to include in our forthcoming sale on May 25th, please get in touch for a free, no obligation valuation. Entries are invited for our Spring auctions to include:
Silver | Vertu | Pictures | 19th/20th Century Design | Ceramics | Oriental Works of Art | Jewellery | Watches | Furniture | Clocks | Rugs | Militaria | Coins | Medals | Collectors | Sporting | Textiles | Wine | Spirits | Books | Maps | Manuscripts | Photography
Consignments are accepted throughout the year!
Lawrences Auctioneers, The Linen Yard, South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8AB | 01460 73041 | enquiries@lawrences.co.uk | lawrences.co.uk
Featured image: a wonderful example of the four coin gold proof set produced by the Royal Mint to celebrate the Coronation of King George VI. To be sold May 25th | Estimate: £6000-8000
The post Lawrences Auctioneers: What’s Your Story Worth? appeared first on The Bath Magazine.