Biggest hoard of Mint silver found
Friday 29th August 2008, 11:50AM BST.
The biggest hoard of silver coins made at the Shrewsbury Mint in the 13th century has been discovered near Baschurch.
A hearing at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court yesterday was told the British Museum – where the 190 coins, three large fragments and smaller fragments, were sent for assessment – recorded the find as one of the most important in Britain involving Shrewsbury-minted money.
Mr John Ellery, coroner for mid and north Shropshire, declared the hoard treasure at the hearing.
The inquest heard the coins were found in Baschurch in September.
But details of the exact location and the person who discovered them have not been disclosed.
Nearly all the long cross penny coins were minted in Shrewsbury and dated between 1249 and 1250 during the reign of King Henry III.
Mr Ellery read a report from Doctor Barry Cook, of the British Museum, who said the coins were 90 per cent sterling silver.
The penny was the only coin made by the British mints at the time but they were cut into halves or quarters to provide lower value currencies.
In the report, Mr Cook said the new find had increased the number of Shrewsbury coins known to exist by 30 per cent.
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
How interestng! I wonder who hid it and why they did not go back for it?
Report abuse
well shiver me timbers, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Report abuse
Maybe the Govt (King) wanted him/ herto pay too much tax on their savings! Or they didn’t trust national pension plans!!
Report abuse
lets use it to rip that wood off the theatre and put proper stone in its place!!
Report abuse
use it to cut council tax
Report abuse
sell it and give the money to the people of shrewsbury to who it belongs
Report abuse