Two metal detectorists, Keith Young and Lisa Stephenson, have uncovered a rare hoard of 15th-century coins in the Cappercleuch area, near St. Mary’s Loch in the Scottish Borders. The discovery, which included 30 gold and silver coins, has captivated the archaeological community.
The hoard consists of a mix of English and Scottish coins, including silver groats minted during the reigns of English kings Henry V (1413-1422) and Edward IV (1461-1483), as well as gold demy and half-demys from Scottish kings James I (1406-1437) and James II (1437-1460). Experts suggest the hoard was likely deposited around the early to mid-1460s.
Lisa Stephenson described the find as the “find of a lifetime.” She and Keith immediately reported the discovery to the Treasure Trove Unit, which assesses archaeological finds in Scotland. The find has now been referred to the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP), where it will be evaluated and assigned a monetary value. This value will be offered as an ex-gratia reward to the finders.
Accredited museums interested in acquiring the hoard can apply to SAFAP, provided they can secure the necessary funds for the reward. Keith Young expressed his amazement at the find, noting, “Lisa and I have discovered many fascinating artefacts, but nothing prepared us for something like this. We hope the hoard will eventually be displayed for the public to appreciate.”
Lisa added, “Being part of the excavation alongside the National Museum and Treasure Trove team was an incredible experience—one we’ll never forget.”
Antony Lee, from the Treasure Trove Unit, acknowledged that while coin hoards containing both English and Scottish currency are not uncommon, hoards from this specific period are rare in Scotland. He praised the find as “fascinating” and commended Keith and Lisa for their prompt and proper reporting. Lee noted that following the initial discovery, archaeologists from National Museums Scotland were able to excavate the site, uncovering five additional coins and documenting the find’s historical context alongside the detectors.
This remarkable discovery offers a unique glimpse into Scotland’s medieval past and is expected to become a valuable addition to Scotland’s national heritage.
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