A group of metal detectorists made a significant discovery in a field near Okehampton Castle in Devon, England, just over a year ago. The find, recently revealed due to treasure discovery laws, has captivated the local community.

The Teignbridge History Finders, led by Jim Luxton, are the treasure hunters behind the discovery, which Luxton described as “amazing” and one of the group’s earliest successes.

The hoard, dubbed the Okey Hoard, comprises 21 ancient coins unearthed over a few weeks by Luxton, Paul May, Neil King, Pete Young, and Clive Hammett. The discovery, made at the end of 2023, could not be immediately announced due to treasure discovery regulations.

The age and composition of the hoard classified it as treasure under the Treasure Act of 1996. This Act requires finders to notify the Coroner of the area where the discovery was made and inform the landowner.

Luxton explained that the initial discovery was only a few coins, but further investigation led to the uncovering of more. He told DevonLive.com, “At first it was three coins. I then got a call to say I had better get over to the area as we had found another eight coins.” “A few weeks later, we had a revisit where I found the last coin to make it a staggering 21 coins,” he added.

The coins date back to 1282 A.D. to 1434 A.D. While the coins may not hold significant monetary value, they are considered more valuable for their historical significance. Luxton expressed hope that the hoard would soon be displayed in a museum for the public to appreciate.

Metal detectorists have often stumbled upon remarkable finds throughout history. The Staffordshire Hoard, discovered in England by a metal detectorist, is one of the most notable examples. This collection, discovered in 2009 in a field near Lichfield, Staffordshire, is considered the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found. It contains over 4,000 objects and fragments, including various war items like swords and helmets.

The Hoxne Hoard is another prominent archaeological discovery in England. In 1992, Eric Lawes, while searching for a lost hammer with his metal detector in Hoxne village, Suffolk, unearthed something much more significant. The Hoxne Hoard, a collection of over 15,000 Roman gold and silver coins, along with tableware and jewelry, is a testament to the potential of seemingly ordinary searches.