After the Storm: A 700-Year-Old Medieval Hammered Silver Coin Emerges from Rain-Soaked Soil

It has been an unusually wet July, even taking into account the often damp British weather. This was midsummer, and it had rained nearly every day this month. As I looked out of my window on my day off work, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. I had been looking forward to getting out there and doing some metal detecting, but the relentless rain seemed determined to thwart my plans.

One of the problems with this weather was that despite the rain, it was quite mild and humid. The grass was loving it, growing at an alarming rate. The land on my permissions was a patchwork of challenges: knee-high grass, crops that I couldn’t detect on, or fields occupied by cows. Sometimes cows are okay to detect amongst, but they can be unpredictable and overly curious or even aggressive. My main permission’s farmer had specifically asked me not to enter any fields with cows, knowing all too well what his bovine residents were like.

As midday rolled around, I noticed the rain had finally stopped. I decided to give it a while, hoping the ground might dry out a bit, and then go for a drive out to my permissions to see if there was anywhere suitable for detecting. I’m fortunate to have permission to detect on three neighboring farms, covering probably 600-700 acres between them, and only a 10-minute drive from home. With a glimmer of hope, I decided to head on out there.

Searching for the Perfect Field: A Metal Detectorist’s Quest

The first fields I came to were just undetectable – very long, wet grass that would make swinging a detector nearly impossible. Then, as far as the eye could see, the rest were in crop, golden waves of grain swaying gently in the breeze. I moved on further down the road, my eyes scanning the landscape for any sign of a suitable detecting spot.

Just as I was about to give up hope, I noticed one field where the grass didn’t look too long. My heart leapt with excitement as I swung into the little side lane alongside it and found a place to park. This was the moment I had been waiting for – a chance to get out there and see what history might be hiding beneath the soil.

I assembled my detecting gear with practiced ease, each piece of equipment a familiar friend. My metal detector, a trusty companion on countless adventures, was soon ready for action. I set off back along the lane to the field and climbed over the metal gate, the familiar creak of its hinges a welcome sound to my ears.

I had detected on this field previously, but I knew from studying my tracking app (TectoTrack) that I had only covered part of it. The beauty of using a tracking app for metal detecting is that it allows you to efficiently cover new ground each time you visit a site, maximizing your chances of making exciting discoveries. With this knowledge, I set off towards the undetected area, my spirits high despite the earlier setbacks.

It was now close to four o’clock in the afternoon, and I probably had around two and a half hours of detecting time before rain returned and I would have to return home then anyway as my daughter was preparing an evening meal. The air was thick with anticipation as I switched on my detector and began my methodical sweep across the field.

The Usual Suspects: Common Finds in Metal Detecting

As I made my way across the field, my detector sang out with various signals. There were plenty of the usual finds – items that every detectorist becomes intimately familiar with over time. Moo tubes, those small copper alloy tubes used in cattle medication, were a common sight. Their presence was a reminder of the field’s agricultural history and current use.

Shotgun cap ends clinked in my finds pouch, testament to the popularity of game hunting in the area. These small brass pieces, once part of a shotgun cartridge, now served as tiny time capsules of past shooting parties that had traversed these fields.

Buttons of various sizes and materials also made frequent appearances. Some were simple and utilitarian, some with their shanks intact, other only just recognisable as buttons. Each button told a story of the people who had lived and worked on this land over the centuries.

And of course, there were the usual lead scraps – fragments of a metal that has been used for countless purposes throughout history. Some might have been from old pipes or flashing, others from weights or even ancient artifacts. Each piece was carefully collected, both for its potential historical value and to clean up the land.

As the clock ticked past five o’clock, I realized I had found nothing of particular interest. But that’s often how a day out detecting is. Sometimes you find nothing to get excited about, and that’s all part of the hobby. The thrill of the hunt and the connection with history are rewards in themselves. Still, I thought I would give it another half hour before calling it a day. Little did I know that the best was yet to come.

The Moment of Discovery: Unearthing a Medieval Treasure

My next signal was a nice tone, but nothing out of the ordinary. Years of experience have taught me to approach each signal with equal care and attention, for you never know when a seemingly mundane tone might lead to an extraordinary find.

I carefully pinpointed the location of the item by sweeping my detector from side to side in all directions. This technique, known as “cross-sweeping” among detectorists, helps to narrow down the exact position of the target. Once I was confident of the location, I dug out a clod of grass and flipped it over, taking care not to damage any potential find.

My detector showed that the item was still in the hole, so I went down onto my knees and reached for my Quest Xpointer Pro. This handheld pinpointer is an invaluable tool in a detectorist’s arsenal, allowing for precise location of small targets within the soil. I carefully scanned the hole, the pinpointer’s increasing beeps guiding me closer to the hidden object.

Next, it was time to unsheathe my Nokta digging tool. This tool is invaluable for careful excavation, but it’s also very sharp. With years of practice behind me, I carefully prised and teased the soil apart, working around the item’s location to avoid scratching it. This technique, sometimes called “plugging,” is crucial for preserving both the find and the surrounding landscape.

The soil broke apart into small clumps, and my pinpointer showed that the item was inside one of these clumps. With trembling fingers, I carefully broke it apart. At first glance, it seemed to be yet another button, and I felt a fleeting sense of disappointment. But as the small disc in my hand slowly revealed itself, I caught sight of a cross across the middle. My heart skipped a beat as I suddenly realized exactly what this was.

It was a medieval silver hammered coin that had been lost hundreds of years earlier by someone crossing this land, and now it was here in my hand! The realization sent a jolt of excitement through me. This wasn’t just a coin; it was a tangible piece of history, a direct connection to the people who had walked this very land centuries ago.

The Thrill of the Find: Sharing the Excitement

With trembling hands, I gently laid the coin down on the upturned clod of turf. The contrast of the silver against the rich, dark soil was striking. I took a few pictures, trying to capture the moment of discovery. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the scene, highlighting the intricate details on the coin’s surface.

Unable to contain my excitement, I sent one of the photos to my detecting buddy, Bob. He hadn’t been able to make it out with me this time, but I knew he’d want to share in this moment. It didn’t take long for his reply to come through, a message of congratulations that made me smile. There’s something special about the camaraderie among metal detectorists, the shared joy in each other’s discoveries.

Buoyed by this incredible find, I decided to do another half hour or so covering this area. Who knew what other treasures might be lurking just beneath the surface? But as is often the case in metal detecting, lightning didn’t strike twice. Nothing more of interest was found, but it hardly mattered. The medieval coin was more than enough to make this a day to remember.

As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink, I decided it was time to head home. My precious find was tucked safely away in my coin pod, a specially designed container that protects delicate artifacts during transport. With one last look at the field that had yielded such an incredible discovery, I made my way back to the car, already looking forward to examining my find more closely at home.

The Journey Home: Reflections on a Successful Detecting Day

The drive home was a blur of excitement and anticipation. My mind raced with questions about the coin. Who had dropped it? What was their story? How had it remained hidden for so long, only to be discovered on this rainy July day?

Once home, I resisted the urge to clean the coin immediately. It had come out of the ground so nicely that it didn’t even need washing. This is often the case with silver coins, as silver doesn’t corrode in the same way as other metals. In fact, overzealous cleaning can sometimes do more harm than good, potentially damaging the delicate surface of the coin and reducing its historical and monetary value.

Instead, I took another couple of photos, this time using my DSLR camera to capture high-quality images of both sides of the coin. The detail was incredible – despite its age, the coin’s design was still clearly visible. The cross I had first noticed in the field was now unmistakable, a common feature on medieval English coinage.

Identifying the Coin: The Power of Online Metal Detecting Communities

Eager to learn more about my find, I decided to tap into the collective knowledge of the metal detecting community. I posted the photos onto a Facebook hammered coin collectors group, hoping for help with the identification. This is one of the great aspects of the metal detecting hobby in the digital age – the ability to connect with experts and enthusiasts from around the world at the click of a button.

It didn’t take long for the responses to start rolling in. The excitement in the comments was palpable, with many congratulating me on such a fantastic find. But more importantly, the identification came quickly and conclusively.

My coin was identified as an Edward II penny, Type 11b1, dating from somewhere in King Edward II’s reign of 1307-1327. This revelation sent another thrill through me. This coin could have been under the surface of this Cheshire field for around 700 years!

As I sat there, holding this small piece of silver, I couldn’t help but marvel at its journey. For seven centuries, it had lain hidden in the earth, while above it, history unfolded. It had been there as farm workers toiled and worked the land, as horses rode through, perhaps even as fighting took place during the English Civil War. And then, on a rainy day in 2024, our paths had crossed, and I had the privilege of bringing it back into the light.

The Historical Context: Edward II and Medieval England

Eager to learn more about the time when my coin was minted, I dove into some research about Edward II and medieval England. Edward II reigned from 1307 to 1327, a tumultuous period in English history. He was the fourth son of Edward I and succeeded to the throne following his father’s death.

Edward II’s reign was marked by political turmoil, military defeats, and conflicts with the nobility. He was known for his close relationships with male favorites, particularly Piers Gaveston and later Hugh Despenser the Younger, which caused tension with the barons. His reign saw significant events such as the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where the English army was decisively defeated by the Scots under Robert the Bruce.

The coin I had found was a penny, which would have been a significant sum of money for most people in medieval England. It’s fascinating to think about who might have owned it – perhaps a merchant traveling between towns, or a farmer on his way to market. The loss of such a coin would have been keenly felt by its owner.

The Importance of Responsible Metal Detecting

As I reflected on my find, I was reminded of the importance of responsible metal detecting. This hobby allows us to uncover and preserve pieces of history that might otherwise be lost forever, but it comes with a great responsibility.

Obtaining proper permissions, as I had done with these farms, is crucial. It ensures that we’re detecting legally and with the landowner’s consent. Equally important is the practice of recording finds. In the UK, the Portable Antiquities Scheme provides a platform for detectorists to record their discoveries, contributing to our understanding of local and national history.

Proper excavation techniques, like the ones I used to retrieve this coin, are also vital. They help preserve both the finds and the archaeological context in which they’re found. And of course, filling in our holes and leaving the land as we found it is not just good practice, but essential for maintaining good relationships with landowners and preserving the landscape for future generations.

Looking to the Future: The Ongoing Adventure of Metal Detecting

As I carefully placed the Edward II penny in my collection, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for future detecting trips. What other secrets might be hiding beneath the surface of those fields? What stories from the past are yet to be uncovered?

Metal detecting is more than just a hobby – it’s a way to connect with history, to touch the past in a very real and tangible way. Each find, whether it’s a medieval coin or a simple button, is a thread connecting us to the people who came before us, who walked the same lands and lived their lives in times so different from our own.

As I plan my next detecting trip, I’m reminded of why I love this hobby so much. It’s not just about the finds, although they’re certainly exciting. It’s about the thrill of discovery, the connection with history, and the endless possibilities that lie beneath our feet. Every time I swing my detector, I know that the next signal could be the one that unearths another incredible piece of history.

So here’s to rainy days that clear up just in time for detecting, to fields that hold centuries of secrets, and to the enduring allure of the unknown. As long as there are fields to search and history to uncover, the adventure of metal detecting will never truly end. And who knows? Maybe on my next trip, I’ll uncover another treasure that has been waiting patiently for centuries to be found.