Six treasure finds, including a Roman silver coin hoard, medieval silver brooches and a gold finger ring, were declared treasure today (Tuesday) by Patricia Morgan, Coroner for South Wales Central.

A Roman silver coin hoard (Treasure Case 20.21) was discovered in Llanelwedd Community, Powys between September 2020 and May 2021, by metal-detectorists Darren Jessett, Justin Thomas and Mark Hewer. The hoard comprises 29 silver denarii from the reign of Vespasian (AD 69-79) through to the reign of Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). It may have been buried for safe-keeping or as a votive offering between about AD 145 and the AD-160s. At the time, the hoard’s value was about one month’s pay for a legionary, before deductions. The nearby Roman auxiliary fort at Colwyn Castle might have been the source of the coins and the person who buried them.

Radnorshire Museum has expressed an interest in acquiring the coin hoard, following its independent valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee.

Dr Lorna Steel, Curator at Radnorshire Museum, said: "At Radnorshire Museum we are very excited to hear that a hoard of Roman silver coins has been found near Llanelwedd by metal detectorists. We are planning to display the coins alongside our other local Roman finds. Who buried them, and why, remains a mystery, but museum visitors will be able to view this amazing collection and find out more about the Roman occupation of Mid-Wales.”

A small medieval annular brooch (Treasure 21.03) was discovered in February 2021 by Mr Michael Turner, while metal-detecting on a field under pasture in Llywel Community, Powys. The silver frame is of circular cross-section and one face is decorated with alternating groups of grooves inlaid with black niello.

Powys treasure
A small medieval annular brooch was found in Llywel in February 2021 (Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales)

Dr Mark Redknap of Amgueddfa Cymru said: “This is an example of a thirteenth- or fourteenth-century medieval brooch decorated with dark niello in a technique that had a long period of use but became particularly popular on medieval jewellery in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. This new find enhances our understanding of its use in Wales.”

y Gaer Museum, Art Gallery & Library, in Brecon, has expressed an interest in acquiring this brooch, following its independent valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee.

A gold ring (Treasure 21.22) was found in June 2021 by Mr Steve Rolls, while metal detecting on a field under rough pasture in Honddu Isaf Community, Powys. The decorative gold ring, which is of part-hollow construction, has a trapezoidal bezel set with a small uncut (cabochon) blue sapphire. This form of ring was fashionable during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.

Dr Mark Redknap of Amgueddfa Cymru said: “Comparable examples of hollow construction from Wales have been discovered in Pembroke Community and on the Angle Peninsula in Pembrokeshire, and this new find establishes its circulation inland during a formative period of Welsh history”.

y Gaer Museum, Art Gallery & Library, in Brecon, has expressed an interest in acquiring this finger ring, following its independent valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee.

Kate Riddington, Senior Curator at y Gaer Museum, Art Gallery & Library, commented: “This is an exciting find for Breconshire, which would be a significant addition to the museum collection as we do not have many medieval rings. It gives a glimpse into the past and is an interesting example of the adornments people in the county were wearing. If acquired by Brecknock Museum, the medieval brooch could be displayed alongside other objects from the period in the Brycheiniog Gallery.”

Also declared treasure were:

• A 17th-century silver-gilt posy ring (Treasure Case 19.45) was discovered by Dr Peter Anning while metal-detecting on a field under pasture in Llantwit Fardre Community, Rhondda Cynon Taf on 6th November 2019.

• A 17th-century gold fidelity ring (Treasure Case 21.02) was discovered by Mr Michael Wareham while metal-detecting on a field under pasture in Penllyn Community, Vale of Glamorgan on 14th January 2021. Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales is interested in acquiring this item.

• A medieval silver annular brooch (Treasure Case 21.38) was discovered by Mr Valentinas Avdejevas while metal-detecting on a field under pasture in St Nicholas and Bonvilston Community, Vale of Glamorgan in June 2020. Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales is interested in acquiring this item.