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

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, 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."

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