Biggest hoard of Mint silver found

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.