Detectorist ‘overwhelmed’ to discover huge hoard of treasure lost in shipwreck
A massive collection of treasure lost in a shipwreck and uncovered by a metal detector has been put on public display for the first time.
The treasure’s history dates back to 1583, when a valuable cargo of grain was sent by ship to Spain. A violent storm meant that both ship and payment were lost on return.
Peter Hughes, 69, used his metal detector to uncover hundreds of coins and other items over 21 years at Margam Beach in Neath Port Talbot, where storms had blown sand away and hidden them.
He described the day he struck his first gold coin in 1996 as “incredible”.
“When I lifted the coin from the sand and the sand fell off the coin, it was shining like the sun in my hand,” Hughes said.
A Portuguese gold coin from São Vicente, 1555-1557. He was struck during John’s reign. [Amgueddfa Cymru]
“I was overwhelmed because I saw Saint Vincent, the figure of a saint holding a ship, and at first I thought it was a symbol.
“But when I turned it over and saw the Portuguese shield, I realized it was a coin. I was overwhelmed with excitement, the excitement was incredible.”
Hughes’ finds include several historic gold coins from the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain.
There is also a Boatswain’s whistle and a combination lock from one of the wooden chests; The code is still waiting to be deciphered.
The artifacts include approximately 870 gold and silver coins, personal items, as well as cooking, eating and drinking utensils. [Amgueddfa Cymru]
It is estimated that only a quarter of the money was found on the ship Ann Francis, which was caught in a storm on December 28, 1583.
Hughes said he initially did not know what to do with his discoveries until he contacted Amgueddfa Cymru (Museum Wales).
“The items and the treasure belong to the public and belong to the Welsh heritage,” Hughes said.
“When I look at it, I think of Pirates of the Caribbean,” he added.
Brass combination lock, possibly for a chest containing coins or important ship documents. The lock code has not been cracked yet [Amgueddfa Cymru]
Hughes said he has been to the beach more than 1,000 times and spent thousands of hours searching for the shipwreck treasure.
He said that the vast majority of his visits to the beach ended with him finding nothing, and that he was lucky to have a “high tolerance for disappointment” and that “the thrill of the search kept me going.”
The treasure is now on display at the National Seaside Museum in Swansea.
Amgueddfa Cymru said the beach was now a protected area to protect other possible remains of the ship, meaning it was no longer legal to search there.
“The coins and artefacts are not only magnificent, they are supported by a wealth of contemporary records that bring together the stories of sailors, marauders, lords, a smuggler and even a woman accused of witchcraft,” said the museum’s Alistair Willis.
“These stories and collection are fascinating and it is great that Amgueddfa Cymru has the opportunity to showcase them.”
Willis also hoped it would inspire other metal detectorists to report their findings.
Peter Hughes metal detectorist at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea [Amgueddfa Cymru]
What should you do if you find treasure?
There is treasure various definitionsUnder the Treasury Act 1996.
If you find treasure in Wales this should be it The find was reported to the Liaison Officer within 14 days of first finding it, or within 14 days of realizing an item might be a treasure, even if you’ve owned the item longer.
Only items officially identified as treasure need to be reported, and failure to report carries a fine or imprisonment of up to three months.
There are different rules for Scotland And Northern Ireland.
Once a find is reported, the Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator will contact you to talk about how and where you made the find.
The Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator will then write a report about the find and the coroner will launch an inquest.
The Finds Liaison Officer will provide expert assessment of the coins to help you determine whether they meet the legal definition of “treasure” under the Act. Treasury Act 1996.
If a museum wants the treasure, the Treasure Valuation Committee will ask an expert to value the find.
They will recommend them Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Culture, Media and Sports how much the treasure is worth and how much should be given to everyone who is entitled to a share of the prize.
