Sutton Cheney: Coins 'linked to Battle of Bosworth' sold at auction

The coins have possible links to the Battle of Bosworth

Two gold coins with possible links to the Battle of Bosworth have been sold at auction.

The 22-carat Ryals were found two years ago at Sutton Cheney in Leicestershire, close to the area where Richard III was killed in 1485.

The "exceptional" coins sold for £13,500 at auction, rising to £17,000 with fees.

Money from the sale will be split between the finder and the landowner.

Essex Coin Auctions, which led the auction, said the coins - found by a metal detectorist and declared as "treasure" by a coroner - had been carefully stacked one on top of the other when found - probably hidden immediately before the battle for safekeeping.

Leicestershire detectorist Rob Thompson, 61, found the coins in 2021

Leicestershire detectorist Rob Thompson, 61, said that after finding the first coin in the bottom of a hole, he was "flabbergasted" when another was stacked underneath it.

Auctioneer Adam Staples said: "We are really happy with the sale. It's a high price but these are exceptional coins.

"It was just amazing to hold them in my hand.

"I was thrilled when I heard Rob had found them, and I'm even more thrilled now."