Coroner rules Bridgnorth coins from Henry VIII's reign are treasure

The 16th century groats, which were discovered by metal detecting enthusiasts near Bridgnorth, were probably hidden for emergencies during the reign of the Tudor monarch, according to experts.

Four of the coins had been found together between September 11 and 18 last year, and a fifth coin was discovered on December 22.

The coins date back to between 1526 and 1544 and showed a young Henry VIII in profile.

Though the coins have not been tested for their precious metal content, all of the coins will consist of silver of the sterling standard, consistent with the currency of the period, according to Peter Reavill, finds liaison officer for Shropshire Council.

Shropshire Museums have now expressed an interest in having the coins for display in the county.

At an inquest held at Shirehall in Shrewsbury yesterday, Shropshire coroner Mr John Ellery declared the find to be treasure.

Reading a report, Mr Ellery said: "All the coins would have circulated as currency at the same time and were probably deposited or lost prior to Henry VIII's great coinage debasement of 1544.

"The presence of a single denomination indicates a degree of selection.

"The finders of this group reported these coins as a potential purse loss as they were found relatively close together and they all are of similar condition with similar wear and corroded surface patina.

"The damage present, slight feathering of the flans and bending of the profile of the coins is also a probable product of dispersal in the plough soil."

Following the inquest, Mr Reavill said: "This small purse loss with five groats, worth four-pence each, is the equivalent of someone losing a week's wages for an unskilled workmen or farm labourer.

"An archer during the mid-15th century – 50 years before the coin was lost –was paid six pence per day.

"It is likely that this hoard represents either a small stash of good money squirrelled away for an emergency or a casual loss.

"The fact that it has lain in the ground – undiscovered for almost 500 years – shows the potential wealth still awaiting discovery in the county. "Shropshire Museums have expressed an interest in the coins for display in either Much Wenlock or Bridgnorth museums.

"The coins show the profile portrait of Henry VIII on one side and the royal arms of the king on the reverse.

"This picture of the king as a young man is not the one that we are used to but Henry VIII was well known to be an excellent horseman and enjoyed jousting.

"A king's strength at this time was in his image and this can be seen in his strong features and shoulder length hair."

After the ruling, Mr Ellery will inform the British Museum, which will work out the value of the find.

Should a museum decide to buy the 16th century items, the value of the find will be paid half to the landowner and half to the finder.