A post-Medieval coin hoard discovered in a west Cumbrian village has been declared as treasure by a coroner.  

John Culvin found the coins while metal detecting in St Bees on September 6, 2020.

Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard that the two coins, were a James I half-crown and a shilling or sixpence, that had been fused together and damaged by the heat.

The hoard was likely to be from the 17th century, estimated to be from between 1604 and 1625.

For an item to be officially defined as treasure according to the Treasure Act 1996, it has to be at least 300 years old and must have a metallic content of which at least 10 per cent by weight is precious metal.

Coroner Robert Cohen said the coin hoard met the criteria for treasure.

Mr Cohen said: “I’m satisfied it’s more likely than not the two coins found in the immediate vicinity of each other, are at least 300 years old and more than 10 per cent precious metal.

“I have concluded they are treasure.”

The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven has expressed an interest in acquiring the coins.

Heather Holmes, Copeland’s customer and visitor experience manager, said: “We are certainly always interested in significant finds in our area – whether we try to acquire these coins would depend on a formal valuation, and the availability of external funding.

“The items in question date from a crucial period in our area’s history. The Lowther family were beginning to invest here in the early 17th century – the first part of  Whitehaven Harbour was built in 1634. If we were to acquire these coins, they would be among the first items in our collection dating to that period.”

By law, finders of potential treasure must legally notify their local coroner.

An inquest determines whether the find is treasure. If the coroner rules it is, the finder must offer it for sale to a museum. A reward is then shared between the finder and landowner.

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