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North Wales: Number of items declared treasure at inquest

North Wales: Number of items declared treasure at inquest

Leader Live28-05-2025
At Ruthin County Hall on Tuesday (May 27), Assistant Coroner for North Wales (East & Central), Kate Robertson declared a total of 30 items as treasure at an inquest.
The items were discovered across parts of north Wales back in 2022 and 2023.
They were then examined by the Museum of Wales and, in some cases, the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Wales (PAS Cymru).
In order to be classed as treasure the items must be originally associated in the ground, must contain more than 10% by weight of precious metal and must be more than 300 years old.
Eight medieval silver coins were discovered in Llansanffraid, Conwy, on March 26, 2023.
Anthony Parry made the discovery via metal detector on that date and reported it to the Museum of Wales.
The eight silver coins discovered were believed to be 'groats' dating back to the period of Edward the third, which are less common in north Wales.
They would have been a 'substantial amount of money for a worker at that time', the coroner said.
The Conwy Culture Centre has shown an interest in acquiring the coins.
Another discovery was made by Peter Forshaw in Llandegla on October 15, 2022.
He was metal detecting during an event hosted by 'Soil Surfers' and discovered five medieval long-cross pennies.
These are believed to date back to the era of Henry the Third, around the years of 1258 to 1265.
There were four pennies and one half-penny, which were likely 'purse contents'.
They were discovered close to St Tegla's Well, which was believed to have healing properties, meaning the coins may have been linked to the well itself.
Another discovery was made in Llandegla by Jamie Larkin on November 20, 2022.
He was also out metal detecting and discovered six medieval silver coins, believing to date as far back as the era of King John of England (1199).
The items found were described as 'six short-cross pennies', with one example of a 'star penny' among them.
They were described at the inquest as being 'silver of high fineness'.
The Denbighshire Heritage Service has expressed interest in acquiring these coins.
John Gilliand, Wayne Jones and David Barker joined forces to come across a Roman coin group in the Minera area on May 21, 2023.
These were described as being three silver dinarii, as well as four copper alloy coins.
Wrexham Museum has shown an interest in housing these items.
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Next up was what was described as the first medieval discovery ever made in the community of Brymbo in Wrexham.
Roy Page was metal detecting next to a tree in a pasture field there on July 10, 2023, when he discovered three silver medieval coins.
These have since been described as groats from the period of Edward the Third (around 1879).
They were hailed as 'silver coins of high fineness'.
The final discovery discussed was a post-medieval silver gilt finger ring found in Connah's Quay.
Michael Pritchard made the discovery among grassland there on January 21, 2023.
The ring featured a twisted rope design and a short length of herringbone pattern.
It also included a flower motive of four petals, and is believed to date back to the 'late 16th or early 17th century'.
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