Hoard of medieval silver coins found in mid-Devon

BBC Five men are standing in an open field, all dressed in outdoor clothes, wearing jackets, boots and hats. Each is holding a metal detector, with two other detectors resting on the ground in front of them. The backdrop is a grassy, rolling landscape, with fences and a few scattered livestock distant in the background.BBC
The detectorists - (left to right) Pete Young, Neil King, Jim Luxton, Clive Hammett and Paul May - hope the coins will be displayed in a museum

A hoard of 21 coins has been discovered by a group of metal detectorists in Devon.

The Teignbridge History Finders, based in Newton Abbot, found the silver groats and pennies in a field near Okehampton Castle over a period of a few weeks.

The five finders - Paul May, Neil King, Pete Young, Clive Hammett and Jim Luxton - said they had named the find the Okey Hoard and that landowner of where they were found wished to remain anonymous.

The team said the coins were being assessed under the Treasure Act 1996 but they hoped they would go on display in a museum soon.

The coins arranged on a white background, with text labelling different sections. The coins are divided into groups attributed to different individuals. Each individual's name is printed in gold text below their respective section of coins. The coins appear to be of various sizes.
Some of the coins found in the hoard could be more than 740 years old

The items in the scattered hoard were found over a few weeks at the end of 2023.

However, the team, which has been going for about a year, has only now been able to reveal what members found because of laws about treasure discovery.

When treasure of such a nature is found, it must be reported to the local coroner and the landowner.

Verification of the coins has dated them between 1282AD and 1434AD, spanning the reigns of Edward I (1272-1307), Edward III (1327-1377) and Henry VI (1422-1461).

James Luxton, who leads the group, said they were of historical significance but would not "make anyone rich" but the team was enjoying the success.

Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].