A small over a year ago, metal detectorists discovered a cache of twenty-one coins in a field close to Okehamption Castle in Devon, England. Laws controlling treasure discovery recently brought the discovery to light.
Leading the gang of treasure seekers behind the Teignbridge History Finders is Jim Luxton, according to DevonLive.com, who described the find as “amazing, one of the earliest.”
Twenty-one antique coins made up the hoard; Luxton, Paul May, Neil King, Pete Young, Clive Hammett, the BBC reported recovered them over several weeks. Based on the source, they called their find the Okey Hoard.
A group of metal detectorists discovered a hoard of ancient coins near Okehamption Castle. (iStock)
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The regulations of treasure finding kept the discovery from being revealed right away even though it was discovered towards the end of 2023.
According to DevonLive.com, the age and makeup of the trove led it to be classed as a treasure under the Treasure Act of 1996.
Under the Treasure Act of 1996, finders of treasure have to report to the landowner the news of a discovery as well as tell the Coroner of the location where the discovery was made.
According to Luxton to DevonLive.com, initially just a few coins were uncovered; more were unearthed with greater study.
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” Initially, it was three coins. Then Luxton told the outlet, I received a call saying I had better hurry over to the location since we had discovered another eight coins.
“A few weeks later, we had a revisit where I found the last coin to make it a startling 21 coins,” he said.
Based on the source, the coins range in date from 1282 A.D. to 1434 A.D.
Although the coins will not add much financial worth to the organisation, Luxton said, based on BBC reports, they rather fit the category of a historical discovery and he expects that soon the group’s discovery will be on show in a museum.
