ANGLESEY METAL DETECTORIST INTERVIEWED

By day, marine geologist Dr Michael Roberts explores the underwater history of the Irish Sea. After work, his explorations take him underground in search of Anglesey's past.

Armed with a metal detector, his latest discovery was a medieval silver coin from the time when Wales was being shackled by King Edward I's ring of iron. So much history, he notes, lies buried beneath our feet.

At the time the coin was minted, near Amlwch, the greatest castle never built was under construction less than 20 miles away in Beaumaris. Edward I's unfinished masterpiece was continued by his son and the coin found by Dr Roberts was made for the latter.

 

The Edward II silver penny is the oldest coin I've found but it might be worth only £10-£15, which is staggering considering its age, he said. Anyone thinking that metal detecting is a quick route to finding a fortune had better get ready for disappointment. It won't make you much more than 50 pence an hour, if you're lucky.

But monetary value isn't the point. What's far more important is finding something that gives a tangible connection with the past.

As a Bangor University academic, Dr Roberts studies seascapes and shipwrecks, offering an underwater link to the maritime history of North Wales. He took up metal detecting almost exactly a year ago – his mid-range machine arrived in the post on November 19, 2022.

Almost inevitably his interest was kindled by a certain comedy show. During Covid lockdowns, he chanced on the BBC's Detectorists. I was inspired by seeing a group of normal people struggling to find something of value in beautiful countryside when not realising they'd already found something money could not buy, he said.

To read the complete article, see:
'Ring of steel' conquest coin among detectorist's incredible hoard on Anglesey (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ring-steel-conquest-coin-among-28084596)

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