In a remarkable discovery, a group of seven amateur detectorists stumbled upon a hoard of 600 medieval coins worth an estimated £150,000 in Buckinghamshire. The find, named the ‘Hambleden Hoard,’ is believed to be the largest collection of gold and silver coins uncovered in the UK in the past decade.
The coins, excavated on the Culden Faw Estate in April 2019, include 12 rare gold nobles from the reign of Edward III. Among these, the team unearthed 12 ultra-rare full gold nobles from the time of the Black Death, dating back to 1346-1351. Senior coroner Crispin Butler, after reviewing a report by Dr. Barrie Cook of the British Museum, declared the hoard as treasure at an inquest held at Beaconsfield Coroners Court.
The ‘Hambleden Hoard’ consists of 547 silver pennies from the reigns of Edward I and II, 21 Irish pennies, 20 continental coins, and 27 Scottish pennies from the reigns of Alexander III, John Balliol, and Robert the Bruce. While the face value of the coins amounts to a little over £6 in today’s currency, estimates of their worth range as high as £150,000.
The team, comprising Andrew Winter, Dom Rapley, Eryk Wierucki, Jaroslaw Giedyna, Dariusz Fijalkowski, and brothers Tobiasz and Mateusz Nowak, spent four days excavating the hoard. To safeguard their discovery, they slept in a tent near the excavation site to deter potential thieves.
Describing the find as “miracle moment after moment,” Mateusz Nowak, a hospital cleaner from Newcastle, expressed his disbelief at the abundance of coins uncovered during the search. The discovery includes coins from various historical periods, providing a glimpse into the rich history of the region.
The coins will now undergo evaluation, and museums will have the opportunity to bid for these rare artifacts. The next steps involve negotiations between the museum, the finders, and the landowners. The value of the hoard is not only monetary but also historical, offering a unique insight into medieval currency and the economic landscape of the time.
For Dariusz Fijalkowski, one of the discoverers, the experience was particularly special. Having initially been delighted with finding a thimble, he went on to uncover the hoard, emphasizing the historical significance of the small pieces of silver and their role in preserving a piece of history.
As the ‘Hambleden Hoard’ makes its way to public display, it serves as a testament to the thrill of amateur archaeology and the potential for unexpected discoveries that lie beneath the surface, waiting to reveal fascinating chapters of the past.
