TWO buried treasure finds discovered by metal detectors scouring land in Waddington are to be retained by the state and displayed in museums.
In the space of 10 days in April last year Kevin Anderson discovered a silver crucifix pendant dating to the 15th or 16th century, and then Kevin Smith discovered four silver pennies in a field, dating back to Edward I’s reign between 1272 and 1307.
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The items were sent to the British Museum for analysis and reports filed to Blackburn. Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Michael Singleton has declared them treasure.
Mr Smith, 52, from Clitheroe, said: “As soon as I pulled the coins out of the ground I knew what they were. After I’d wiped the dirt off they were in pristine condition.
“To find a second, third and fourth coin was fantastic. I was hoping to get a gold one but that wasn’t to be.
“I’ve been back a few times but haven’t found any more coins.
“The ground is constantly moving, though, so you might find something 12 months on that you didn’t find last year.”
To be classed as treasure any finds must be more than 300 years old and have a silver or gold content of more than 10 per cent.
Mr Smith, a fire alarm engineer who has been metal detecting for six years, said: “We all know that we might not be able to keep some things we find, it’s part and parcel of what we do.
“I’m hoping the coins will be displayed locally. I would love to see them at Clitheroe Castle Museum.”
Mr Anderson, who found the pendant, has already been told that the Museum of Lancashire is keen to display his find.
In classifying both items as treasure Mr Singleton praised the work of Mr Anderson and Mr Smith.
He said: “It’s absolutely incredible to think that these coins have lying there for some 700 years. It’s mind blowing.”
The first coin found was dated between January and May 1280, the second between 1302 and 1303, the third between 1299 and 1300 and the final one between 1306 and 1307.
As Mr Singleton as declared both items treasure, both Mr Anderson and Mr Smith will now be compensated for their finds if the state decides to keep hold of them.
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