A group of adventurers made history by uncovering the biggest collection of coins ever found in the British Isles. The incredible discovery consisted of over 69,000 Roman and Celtic coins, valued at an estimated £10 million. These ancient treasures were hidden underground, three feet beneath a hedge in Jersey, Channel Isles.
The biggest collection of gold and silver coins ever discovered in Britain was unearthed beneath a hedge on Jersey in the Channel Islands. For three decades, metal detector enthusiasts Reg Mead and Richard Miles carefully combed the field after a woman mentioned seeing what looked like silver buttons in the vicinity. Their incredible find in 2012 outshines the previous record set by the discovery of 54,951 Iron Age coins in Wiltshire back in 1978.
After a three-decade-long search, Reg Mead and Richard Miles unearthed a collection of ancient coins encased in clay. Curator Neil Mahrer examines the remarkable find, which dates back to approximately 50 BC. These historical treasures, officially acknowledged by Guinness World Records, will soon be showcased at the La Hougue Bie Museum in Jersey.
Metal detector enthusiasts stumbled upon clay-encased coins thought to have been concealed in a field approximately 50BC. Olga Finch, the curator of archaeology at Jersey Heritage, expressed excitement, commenting, “We are thrilled by this fantastic find and pleased to see such a remarkable archaeological discovery unearthed, studied, and showcased here in Jersey.”
Neil Mahrer, the conservator at the Jersey Heritage Museum, is starting the delicate process of extracting the valuable silver and gold items from the clay. Mr. Miles also talked about his role in the excavation, highlighting the joy of receiving the Guinness World Record certificates. According to the Treasure Act 1996, the coins are classified as ‘treasure’ and technically owned by the Queen, but the discoverers are eligible for a reward.
Inside the hefty clay tablet, there was a treasure trove of 69,347 coins. This massive hoard, set in a tablet weighing three-quarters of a ton and measuring 55 x 31 x 8 inches, showcases the island’s rich history. Some of the coins are believed to be worth around £100 each, making the entire collection potentially valued in the millions, not including the valuable jewelry also discovered with them.
Shown in the image are a selection of coins that have been recently restored. This discovery was uncovered back in 2012.
After being discovered three feet underground beneath a hedge, the coins were carefully dug out.
In the image, a collection of coins is shown being unearthed from the soil. On the left side of the picture, we see Reg Mead, a metal detector enthusiast, sporting a black shirt.
The metal detectors, Reg Mead and Richard Miles, were the ones who uncovered the coins. They can be seen in the photo at the hiding spot of the coins. There is a discussion about how the value of the coins might be affected by the large number found, which could lessen their rarity. However, this amazing discovery contributes to Jersey’s reputation in Iron Age coin research, highlighting the island’s exceptional heritage on a global scale.
