- Feb 19, 2023

Incredibly Rare Medieval Coins Discovered

The trove of gold coins and silver pennies was found in Buckinghamshire, central England.

Rare gold coins found in Buckinghamshire, England

There had been only 12 known examples of the rare gold coins | British Museum

Twelve incredibly rare medieval gold coins, along with over 600 silver pennies, were originally discovered four years ago by amateur detectorists, but have only now been officially identified by experts at the British Museum.

It's thought the money was buried by its owner around the time of the Black Death, in the 14th century, and the coins have now officially been declared 'treasure' and will go to a special panel of antique experts so that they can be valued.

The gold coins, called nobles, were the first English gold coins produced in quantity and were introduced during the reign of King Edward III (1312-1377).

Silver coins discovered in a field in Buckinghamshire, England

Silver coins | British Museum

Dr Barrie Cook from the British Museum said there had only been 12 known examples of the rare gold nobles ever found before the 2019 discovery, explaining that "people hid their money all the time as there were no banks."

Under UK law, if something that has been dug up is made of gold or silver and its owners are unknown, it's classed as 'treasure'. Such discoveries of treasure must be reported to the authorities and the landowner. The authorities then decide what happens to it and the finder could get a fee. So, the amateur detectorists probably have their fingers very firmly crossed.

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