Shropshire medieval coin finds declared treasure trove

Three hoards of medieval coins found in Shropshire have been declared as treasure by a coroner.

The coins - dating from the 13th to 17th centuries - were discovered in Baschurch and near Oswestry.

Mr John Ellery, coroner for north and mid Shropshire, declared all three finds as treasure trove at inquests in Wem yesterday.

The finds could now go on display at Rowley's House Museum in Shrewsbury and Powysland Museum.

Mr Ellery heard the Baschurch discoveries of 35 medieval pennies were probably linked to a bigger hoard of 190 coins discovered at the same site in the village in 2007 and declared as treasure in 2009.

In his report for the coroner, Dr Barrie Cook, curator of medieval and early modern coinage at the British Museum, said: "That the find-spot of the hoard is so close to Shrewsbury itself, might suggest that this portion might well have remained in the possession of one original owner."

The inquest heard the coins probably date back to the mid to late-1260s and may go on display at Rowley's House Museum.

A second inquest heard how a coin hoard was discovered in the Oswestry area by metal detectorist Marie Hunt in April 2010.

There were 21 coins with a combined value of six shillings and a penny.

Peter Reavill, from the Portable Antiquities Scheme, said: "In its day it would have represented almost four weeks wages for a skilled craftsman."

The final group of coins under inquest was also found by Marie Hunt in July 2010 in the Oswestry area.

They include a silver gilt medal commemorating the marriage of Charles I and date back to the 1630s.

The Powysland Museum, Welshpool, has expressed an interest in displaying the Oswestry finds.