Shropshire detectorists' delight as Roman coins are declared to be treasure
A man who stumbled upon a collection of Roman coins has spoken of his delight after the hoard was declared treasure.
Christopher Rowley, from Beckbury, near Shifnal, and his colleague Ron Summers, from Worfield, were amazed to find the 21 base metal coins, which date back to the fourth century.
The coins were found on private farm land, owned by Oliver Eaton, in the Claverley area, last year by the two part-time metal detectorists.
An inquest held on Wednesday at Shrewsbury Town Football Club saw coroner for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Mr John Ellery, deem the coins as treasure.
The coins have since been dubbed the Claverley Hoard and are attracting interest nationwide. Mr Rowley, a 62-year-old retired firefighter, said he hoped the coins could be donated to the museum in Bridgnorth.
"I have been metal detecting for 45 years and I got Ron into it about 10 years ago," he said.
"We found another hoard a few years ago and we're both great believers of handing everything in.
"Any collection of 10 or more coins, which are more than 300 years old, have to be declared by law," he said.
"But I think it's wrong people take them out of the ground and then keep them in their homes."
"There has been interest from the British Museum but if they don't want them we will contact Northgate Museum in Bridgnorth."
