Coins found in farmer's field declared treasure

Silver coins from the Elizabethan era were found in a Staffordshire farmer's field in 2023

Seventeen coins from the Elizabethan era discovered in a Staffordshire farmer's field have been formally declared treasure by a coroner.

Five groats of Mary I of England and two groats, two sixpences, four threepences and four half groats of Elizabeth I of England were found by metal detectorist Sam Egerton and his friends.

"It's a really great feeling," said Mr Egerton from Uttoxeter, who made the discovery in January 2023, after taking up the hobby the year before.

The coins will be now valued, with the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery interested in acquiring them for its collection.

Sam Egerton and his friends found 15 coins one day, and another two on following days

The treasure inquest was held by the assistant coroner for Staffordshire, Li Hammond-Naylor, after the find had been declared via the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS).

The total value of the hoard was five shillings, equivalent to four days pay for a skilled tradesman in 1590.

The modern equivalent would be £41.48.

The acquiring museum will need to raise funds to save the coins for the public to enjoy, with the finder and landowner sharing the money as a reward for finding them, said PAS.

Mr Egerton said he had spent the time waiting to hear about the treasure declaration carrying out more searches.

"It's a brilliant hobby, it's really interesting and educational, I've learnt so much about history I would never have known about if I wasn't out metal detecting," he said.

The fact more people were taking up the hobby and making discoveries was "great" for museums, he added, as "they are finding out so much more about their areas".

Other finds from Staffordshire that formed part of the treasure inquest included:

• An early medieval silver brooch from the Lichfield District area

• A post medieval silver lace tag from the Lichfield area

• A coin hoard found in Cheddleton, likely to have been lost or deposited around 1550

• An incomplete silver early medieval ring from Stafford

• A bronze age dress fastener from east Staffordshire