Seven finds uncovered in Wrexham and Flintshire during 2015 and 2016 have been declared Treasure by the Coroner for North-east Wales. The discoveries, dated from the Roman through to the post-medieval period, include a coin hoard as well as fine medieval jewellery.

The coin hoard, found by a metal-detectorist on farmland near Wrexham in 2016, included 82 silver Roman coins – a mixture of Republican and early Imperial issues (including Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Augustus, Nero, and Vespasian). Discovered in a local red ware pot, it is thought to have been buried sometime around AD 80 – and, as over half of the coins were issued under the Roman Republic, some of the cache’s contents were at least 150 years old at the time of burial.

In Flintshire, the featured finds included a small 13th- or 14th-century silver annular brooch and a late medieval gold ring. The latter, engraved with flowers, leaves, and rays between the words avez mon cur (‘have my heart’), is an example of a posy ring: a token of love or affection.

‘It is really positive to see such a diverse group of recent Treasure finds reported from across North-east Wales, spanning from Roman to medieval times,’ said Adam Gwilt, Principal Curator for Prehistory at Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. ‘As surviving sources of evidence, they really do help us to tell new stories relating to the cultural identities and connections of the ancient peoples of Wales. In the last 20 years, over 400 Treasure items have been declared from Wales, and these represent a growing and important aspect of our shared cultural heritage as a nation.’

Adam is also the project manager for Saving Treasures; Telling Stories, a Heritage Lottery-funded project that is enabling museums in Wales, both local and national, to purchase Treasure items such as these for the wider public benefit.

This article appeared in CA 337.