'It's the find of a lifetime!' Metal detectorists reveal surprise after unearthing medieval coin hoard in the Scottish Borders

Two metal detectorists have made what's being described as "the find of a lifetime", after unearthing a hoard of medieval coins at a beauty spot in the Scottish Borders.

Keith Young and Lisa Stephenson were exploring the Cappercleuch area - near St Mary's Loch - when they discovered 30 gold and silver coins, dating back to the 15th Century.

The couple reported their find to the Treasure Trove Unit (TTU), who assess all Scottish archaeological finds, and were invited to be part of the dig around the site.

But the coins have yet to be given a value by the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP) - with Keith and Lisa expected to be given a reward for their find.

Keith said: “Lisa and I have been lucky enough to have found some wonderful artefacts while metal detecting, but nothing quite prepared us for a find like this. 

“Hopefully the hoard will go on public display for others to enjoy.”

The find is a mix of Scottish and English coins, comprising English silver groats minted by Henry V (1413-1422) to Edward IV (1461-1483), and Scottish gold demy and half-demys of James I (1406-1437) and James II (1437-1460).

They are believed to have been left at the site in the early to mid-1460s.

Lisa added: “The hoard is the find of a lifetime and being part of the excavation with the National Museum and Treasure Trove team was an amazing experience, something we'll never forget.”

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Once a value has been put on the coins, accredited museums who want to put them on display can then apply to SAFAP - and will be required to raise the funds for the ex-gratia award.

Antony Lee, from the Treasure Trove Unit, said: “Coin hoards containing a mix of both English and Scottish coins are not unusual, but we do not see many hoards from this period in Scotland, so it’s a fascinating find.

“Keith and Lisa acted promptly and correctly in reporting it to us. In turn we, along with archaeologists from National Museums Scotland, were able to attend and excavate the site, finding five more coins and documenting the circumstances of the hoard alongside the finders.”

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