德文郡尋寶者發現的中世紀銀幣寶藏

一群來自德文郡的尋寶者發現了一堆 21 枚中世紀銀幣 - 其中一些已有近 800 年的歷史。

A group of treasure hunters from Devon have uncovered a hoard of 21 medieval silver coins - some of which are almost 800 years old.

一群來自德文郡的尋寶者發現了一堆 21 枚中世紀銀幣 - 其中一些已有近 800 年的歷史。

The ancient groats and pennies had been lying under the ground for centuries on land close to Okehampton Castle.

這些古老的碎粒硬幣和便士已經在奧克漢普頓城堡附近的土地上埋藏了幾個世紀。

They were uncovered by five detectorists from Teignbridge History Finders, a club set up just over a year ago in Newton Abbot.

它們是由 Teignbridge History Finders 的五名探測器發現的，該俱樂部是一年多前在牛頓阿伯特成立的。

Jim Luxton, a lorry driver who runs the club in his spare time, described the find as "amazing" and their first significant discovery.

業餘時間經營俱樂部的卡車司機吉姆·拉克斯頓 (Jim Luxton) 形容這一發現“令人驚嘆”，也是他們的第一個重大發現。

He said: "I set this small club up about a year ago so to find something so significant like this so soon was fantastic.

他說：「我大約一年前成立了這個小俱樂部，所以這麼快就找到了這樣重要的事情真是太棒了。

"I organised a group dig in the parish of Okehampton and not too far away from Okehampton Castle.

「我在歐克漢普頓教區組織了一次集體挖掘，距離歐克漢普頓城堡不遠。

"I believe the discovery could be linked to the castle. In those days it would have been a lot of money to lose or maybe hidden.

「我相信這項發現可能與這座城堡有關。在那些日子裡，如果損失或隱藏的話，會損失很多錢。

"We affectionally named it the Okey hoard but officially it is a hoard found in the parish of Okehampton.

「我們親切地把它命名為奧基寶藏，但正式來說，它是在奧克漢普頓教區發現的寶藏。

He said the coins were found over an area of around three metres, something known as a scattered hoard.

他說，這些硬幣是在大約三公尺的範圍內發現的，這被稱為分散的寶藏。

He explained how the find happened and gave credit to members of the team.

他解釋了這項發現是如何發生的，並對團隊成員表示讚賞。

"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.

「一開始是三枚硬幣。然後我接到電話說我最好前往該地區，因為我們又發現了八枚硬幣。

"A few weeks later we had a revisit where I found the last coin to make it a staggering 21 coins.

「幾週後，我們再次訪問，我發現了最後一枚硬幣，數量達到了驚人的 21 枚硬幣。

"Credit goes to the five finders Paul May, Neil King, Pete Young, Clive Hammett and Jim Luxton. Also the landowner who wishes to remain anonymous."

“感謝五位發現者保羅·梅、尼爾·金、皮特·楊、克萊夫·哈米特和吉姆·拉克斯頓。還有一位希望保持匿名的土地所有者。”

The coins have been verified as dating from 1282AD to 1434AD.

這些硬幣已被證實可追溯到公元 1282 年至公元 1434 年。

The groats are from the reigns of Edward III (1327-1377) and Henry VI (1422-1461)

碎粒玉米粒來自愛德華三世 (1327-1377) 和亨利六世 (1422-1461) 統治時期

Whilst the pennies span from the reign of Edward I (1272-1307) to Henry VI.

便士的年代橫跨愛德華一世（1272-1307）統治時期至亨利六世。

It is not known exactly when the coins were deposited in the ground.

目前尚不清楚這些硬幣是何時埋入地下的。

But it is thought to have been around the time the last one was minted in 1430.

但人們認為最後一枚硬幣的鑄造時間大約是 1430 年。

The wear on the older coins indicates they had been in circulation for a long period.

舊硬幣上的磨損表明它們已經流通了很長一段時間。

The larger coins clearly show the face of Henry VI.

較大的硬幣清楚地顯示了亨利六世的臉。

Also on the dig that day a King John (1199-1216AD) short cross penny and two unidentified roman coins were found.

當天的挖掘過程中還發現了一枚約翰王（公元 1199-1216 年）短十字便士和兩枚身份不明的羅馬硬幣。

Due to their age and composition of over 10 per cent precious metal, the hoard is classed as treasure under the Treasure Act 1996.

由於其年代久遠且含有超過 10% 的貴金屬，這些寶藏根據 1996 年《寶藏法》被列為寶藏。

When treasure is found, it must be reported to the local coroner and the landowner.

當發現寶藏時，必須向當地驗屍官和土地所有者報告。

Jim says the coins may end up in a museum and be put on display.

吉姆說這些硬幣最終可能會進入博物館並展出。

He admits the coins, though of important historic value, will not make any of the team rich.

他承認這些硬幣雖然具有重要的歷史價值，但不會讓團隊中的任何人變得富有。

Teignbridge History Finders are a non-profit club that cover mainly Devon.

Teignbridge History Finders 是一個非營利俱樂部，主要涵蓋德文郡。

Jim says he has always had a passion for history and started the club simply for the joy he gets looking for history under his feet.

吉姆說，他一直對歷史充滿熱情，創立俱樂部只是為了在腳下尋找歷史的樂趣。

Anyone interested in joining should email jamesluxton55@btinternet.com

任何有興趣加入的人請發送電子郵件至 jamesluxton55@btinternet.com