In the Scottish Borders, metal detectorists Keith Young and Lisa Stephenson stumbled upon a remarkable collection of 15th-century coins near St Mary’s Loch in the Cappercleuch region.
The duo uncovered a hoard of 30 gold and silver coins, including English silver groats from the reigns of Henry V (1413-1422) to Edward IV (1461-1483), as well as Scottish gold demy and half-demy coins from the reigns of James I (1406-1437) and James II (1437-1460). Believed to have been buried in the early to mid-1460s, Lisa hailed the discovery as a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The find has been submitted to the Treasure Trove Unit, responsible for evaluating all archaeological discoveries in Scotland. The hoard will then be reviewed by the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP), an independent body that will determine its monetary value and award an ex-gratia payment to Keith and Lisa. Accredited museums interested in acquiring the coins can apply to SAFAP, provided they secure funding to cover the reward.
Keith expressed his excitement, noting that despite their past discoveries, nothing compared to this hoard. He hopes it will eventually be displayed publicly for others to appreciate. Lisa echoed his sentiments, describing the excavation process alongside the National Museum and Treasure Trove team as an unforgettable privilege.
Antony Lee of the Treasure Trove Unit explained that while mixed hoards of English and Scottish coins are not uncommon, finds from this specific period are rare in Scotland, making it particularly noteworthy. He commended Keith and Lisa for their swift and responsible reporting, which allowed archaeologists from National Museums Scotland to excavate the site, uncovering five additional coins and thoroughly documenting the find with the detectorists present.
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