In the Scottish Borders, two metal detectorists, Keith Young and Lisa Stephenson, stumbled upon a collection of 15th-century coins. Their discovery in the Cappercleuch area near St Mary’s Loch consisted of 30 gold and silver coins, a mix of Scottish and English currency. The range of coins included English silver groats minted by Henry V (1413-1422) to Edward IV (1461-1483), as well as Scottish gold demy and half-demys of James I (1406-1437) and James II (1437-1460).
The hoard, estimated to have been deposited at the site in the early to mid-1460s, left Lisa in awe, describing it as the “find of a lifetime.” The valuable discovery has since been reported to the Treasure Trove Unit in Scotland, which oversees all archaeological finds in the country. Following assessment, the coins will be presented to the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP) for valuation and potential acquisition by accredited museums.
Antony Lee from the Treasure Trove Unit noted that although coin hoards containing a mix of Scottish and English currency are not uncommon, finds from this specific period in Scotland are rare and particularly intriguing. Keith and Lisa’s prompt reporting of the hoard allowed for a thorough excavation by archaeologists from National Museums Scotland, uncovering five additional coins and thoroughly documenting the circumstances surrounding the find.
Both Keith and Lisa expressed their amazement at being part of such a significant find, with hopes that the hoard will soon be put on public display for others to appreciate. Their experience with the excavation team was described as unforgettable, marking a momentous chapter in their metal detecting endeavors
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