Press Releases

A medieval gold fede ring (Treasure Case 21.14) was discovered by Paul Davis on 12^th April 2021 while metal-detecting in a field under pasture in Bronington Community, Wrexham. The ring, of later 15^th-century date, has two raised pelleted ridges spaced with a flower and leaf design, with traces of white enamel decoration surviving. An inscription on the outer surface reads ‘de bon cuer’ which means ‘of good heart’. The ring forms part of a coin and finger-ring hoard previously reported as treasure, known as the Bronington Hoard. This was deposited after 1465 during the Wars of the Roses. Wrexham County Borough Museum & Archives has expressed an interest in acquiring this find for their collection, following their independent valuation through the Treasure Valuation Committee.

Four silver coins of Charles I (Treasure Case 21.28) were discovered on 20^th June 2021 by Eric Faulkner, David Molyneux, Chris Jones and Gordania Mitchell in a field in Esclusham Community, Wrexham during a metal-detecting rally. The coins, two shillings and two sixpences, were buried after 1641 during the English Civil Wars. Wrexham County Borough Museum & Archives has expressed an interest in acquiring this find for their collection, following their independent valuation through the Treasure Valuation Committee. 

A gold lock-ring (Treasure Case 19.38) was discovered by Chris Wood in September 2018 while metal-detecting on a ploughed field in Holt Community, Wrexham. The find was first reported to Susie White, the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS Cymru) Finds Officer for North-East Wales. This artefact fragment was once used as a high-status ornament, possibly in the hair, and is decorated with intricate concentric circular lines. It dates to the Late Bronze Age and was made nearly three thousand years ago (1000-800 BCE). Similar lock-rings have previously been found on Anglesey and along the North Wales coast, while they have also been found in some numbers across south-western Ireland, northern Britain and in south-east England. 

Dr Susie White, PAS Cymru Finds Officer for North Wales, who took in the artefact from the finder, as a potential treasure find, said:-

“As soon as the finder contacted me about this object, I knew it was something special.  Objects like this don’t turn up very often and this is a first for me. It was really nice to be able to record something so beautiful, even in its slightly crumpled state”.

Adam Gwilt, Principal Curator for Prehistory at Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, reporting on the find for the Coroner, said:-

“The quality of the decoration on this artefact is impressive and it begs the question ‘how did its maker, an expert goldsmith, manage to expertly hand scribe seventy-nine concentric circles on a gold sheet just four centimetres wide?’. The resulting visual effect, created across the surface of this golden ornament, suggests this was once a highly valued possession. It would have marked out the wearer, female or male, to be a well-connected person of high standing within their community.”

Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales has expressed an interest in acquiring this treasure find, following its independent valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee. 

A medieval silver buckle-plate and a silver coin (Treasure Case 20.09) were discovered on 16^th June 2020 by Ian Cox, while metal-detecting on rough grazing land in Henryd Community, Conwy. The silver buckle-plate, intricately decorated with an openwork design of Gothic tracery, was once attached to a silk girdle or belt belonging to a person of higher standing. The worn coin, a silver penny of Richard II (1377-1399), was inserted into the open end of the buckle-plate and suggests the two objects were lost in the early 15^th-century. Conwy Culture Centre has expressed an interest in acquiring this find for their collection, following their independent valuation through the Treasure Valuation Committee. 

Dr Mark Redknap at Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, reporting on the find for the Coroner said:-

“Girdles and belts of leather or textile of this quality were confined to wealthier people and were highly regarded as conspicuous personal adornment. This is reflected here by the materials used and the fine decoration. This new find is significant as it comes from a site within medieval Wales and was found buried with an unusual coin association”. 

Dr David Howell, PAS Cymru Engagement Officer said:-

“The Portable Antiquities Scheme in Wales plays a critical role in safeguarding Welsh heritage. Through a network of dedicated Finds Liaison Officers across Wales, and support from the Welsh Archaeological Trusts, PAS Cymru provides a service where finders of archaeological materials can formally report their objects. Due to the work of PAS Cymru, information about thousands of archaeological objects has been recorded, significantly enhancing our understanding of Welsh archaeology and history. Without PAS Cymru, this information would likely be lost to the people of Wales. Today, information about artefacts recorded through the scheme can be accessed through the central PAS online database https://finds.org.uk.”    

Also declared treasure were:

⚫ A medieval silver terminal fragment (Treasure Case 20.13), discovered by Paul Hughes on 23^rd September 2020, while metal-detecting on land under pasture in Trefriw Community, Conwy. This decorative item with an openwork plant and leaves design dates to the 15^th century. Conwy Culture Centre has expressed an interest in acquiring this artefact for its collection.  

⚫ Two clipped seventeenth century silver coins of James I and Charles I (Treasure Case 20.20), discovered by Mick Brady on 17^th October 2020, while metal-detecting on cultivated land in Aberwheeler Community, Denbighshire. 

⚫ A gold posy-ring of late 17^th- or early 18^th-century date (Treasure Case 21.26), discovered by Norman Clacher on 13^th June 2021 in a field under pasture in  Esclusham Community, Wrexham, during a metal-detecting rally. The ring has an internal surface inscription which reads ‘Gods providence is our inheritance’. 

⚫ A medieval silver ring fragment (Treasure Case 22.39), discovered by Jamie Larkin on 10^th August 2022 in a field under arable in Llandegla Community, Denbighshire, during a metal-detecting rally. The ring, with repeating incised decoration and panelled design, probably dates to the 15^th century. Denbighshire Museums Service has expressed an interest in acquiring the ring for its collection. 

ENDS

For further information or images, please contact communications@museumwales.ac.uk 

EDITOR’S NOTES

1. All images to be credited © Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

2. The Portable Antiquities Scheme in Wales (PAS Cymru) is a mechanism to record and publish archaeological finds made by members of the public. It has proved a highly effective means of capturing vital archaeological information, while engaging with non-traditional museum audiences and communities.

3. Each year, between 50 and 80 treasure cases are reported in Wales, as finds made by members of the public, usually metal detectorists. Since 1997, over 600 treasure finds have been made in Wales, with numbers of treasure finds gradually increasing over time, with 76 treasure cases reported in 2022. These finds are adding important new knowledge and understanding of our pasts, a cultural resource of growing importance for Wales. 

4. Treasure items must be legally reported and handed over to PAS Cymru staff and Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, as the lead heritage organisation managing treasure work in Wales. National museum curators gather accurate information and report on treasure finds, making recommendations to coroners, the officers who make independent legal judgements on treasure and ownership.