Coins haul for metal detector enthusiast

Published on Saturday 4 February 2012 03:16

A METAL detector enthusiast has dug up a hoard of ancient silver coins in Caithness – after taking up the hobby a year ago.

Mikie Aitken believes the find, made last week, could be worth a small fortune.

Mr Aitken said that he felt as if he had won the lottery when his detector started beeping and he uncovered the stash of silver.

When he researched his find with other enthusiasts, he learned that the coins dated back to 1279 and if sold at auction could be worth thousands of pounds.

“I only took up metal detecting over a year ago, but I am mad about it and have scanned several sites across Caithness,” he said.

“When I found these coins it was like winning the lottery. They were all within a couple of feet of each other. I think there may be another three or four there.

“I only found these coins by accident, as I wasn’t particularly looking for anything. It was a million-to-one chance that anybody could find something as valuable as these coins.

“There are foundations on the site so I think it could be a holy well or something like that.”

But the metal detection enthusiast said he did not want to sell the coins. “It is not about money for me,” he said. “It is the historical significance. I will probably donate or loan them to a museum.

“When I returned home, I immediately discussed what I had found with members of a metal detecting forum whom I speak with on a regular basis.

“They thought that my discovery was unbelievable and ranked it as one of the most special.”

Currently, Mr Aitken, 27 from Killimister, near Wick, has nine coins in his possession from the site, the location of which he is keeping secret.

They date to 1279 and include five silver, hammered Edward I coins, which have engraved on them a picture of the head of Edward Longshanks, also known as the “Hammer of the Scots”, who was on the English throne at the time of William Wallace.

Four other coins are engraved with the head of King Alexander III of Scotland which are thought to be extremely rare.

They are said to be in almost perfect condition to the point that Mr Aitken can tell where they were minted.

Similar coins which are being sold at auction around the country are fetching around £300 each, but given the mint condition of Mr Aitken’s it is hoped they could fetch several hundreds pounds more – if he decides to sell them.

“The coins that I have seen on the internet are in nowhere near as good condition as the ones which I have found,” he said.

Mr Aitken is planning to return to the site this weekend to lift the rest of the coins before declaring them to Treasure Trove Scotland, which can claim on behalf of the nation, by law, any object or coin found in Scotland from before the Victorian era.

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samcoldstream

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:24 AM

"The unique variety of medieval Scottish coinage is sought after by collectors throughout the world. Valuations are modest in comparison to the medieval coinage of other countries. However, less coinage was minted in medieval Scotland but are seen as an excellent investment." (Source: Coin Collectors Guide)

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