An amateur team of metal detectorists found a staggering haul of Iron Age coins. Now, they are set to receive their prize nine years after discovering them.
Richard Miles, age 58 and Reg Mead aged 79 shared their stories over the past 30 years on the subject of the lost Celtic coins found east of Jersey.
Although they couldn’t pinpoint the exact spot, the couple spent endless hours combing different fields in the hope that something would be found to confirm the legend.
The couple finally obtained permission to walk through Grouville’s new fields with their metal detectors at the beginning 2012 Richard’s detector gave off a distinctive zapping sound after the second day.
The pair discovered 61 silver and copper coins total on that February morning. Each coin was adorned with an exotic “Red Indian” head, with tattoos and plaited hair, necklace, and a stylised horse.
Jersey Heritage head, which they contacted, helped them arrange for an excavating team and a crane to assist in digging a ton of coins, approximately 70,000, over the course of four days. This was during summer 2012.
Now, after nine excruciating years of negotiations between the Jersey government and the British crown, Reg and Richard are finally set to see a reward after a £4.2million fee was agreed to keep the coins on the island.
In 2012, amateur metal detectorists discovered a 70,000 strong hoard of valuable Celtic coins that recently sold for £4.25m in Grouville, Jersey
Richard Miles (left), 58 and Reg Mead,79 shared their stories for over 30 years about the legend of missing Celtic coins in Jersey’s eastern side.
Richard Miles and Reg Mead were first tipped off by a woman in 1980s who said that she had seen something similar in fields to silver buttons.
The final result was that 69,347 Coins hailing from Armorica (modern-day Brittany or Normandy) were discovered under a hedge on a Mound of Clay in Grouville.
According to historians, the coins were buried in a trench that was dug in 2000 years ago by the Celtic tribe who fled Julius Caesar’s fast-advancing legions during the first century BC.
In the end, 69,347 coins each adorned with an exotic ‘Red Indian-style’ head with tattoos, plaited hair and necklace on one side and a stylised horse on the other hailing from Armorica, modern-day Brittany and Normandy, were found
In 55BC, Caesar’s army sliced and pillaged its way through Gaul, and Roman galleys popped up like death ships off the coast, a Celtic tribe called the Coriosolitae buried their treasure in a panic.
Because Jersey’s legislation doesn’t allow for treasure discoveries, it automatically passed to Queen Elizabeth once the haul had been discovered.
Since 2012, Jersey’s receiver general Alan Blair, the government and finders Reg and Richard have wrangled over the price of the Le Câtillon II hoard.
Despite a difference in valuation numbering in the millions, they agreed a £4.25m price on December 17, ensuring the historic collection with remain on the island.
Part of the financial settlement included a £250,000 payment to Jersey Heritage for their work towards dismantling the coins, and an additional £250,000 which will be used to establish a trust.
MailOnline understands that £4.2million will be split between finders Reg and Richard, Jersey Heritage for cleaning and displaying costs and the land owner.
Unknown is the amount that each of them will get as a reward.
Reg assured MailOnline that they were satisfied with the final result and especially thrilled to end the 10-year-old story.
“I’m so happy that we’re finally able to get this out of the way,” he said.
It has nothing to do with money. Instead, it is about how this affected our families in the past 10 year.
“My wife said that it was often the elephant in our lounge. Once you get in, you will always fall over it.
“The settlement was the greatest Christmas gift we and our families could’ve received.”
Richard continued: “You would never have imagined it could happen to me – the largest ever coin haul in the British islands.”
The last 10 years were a wonderful journey.
“I have met fascinating people and been able discuss the hoard. It has been amazing.
“It has been an up-and-down rollercoaster, with many ups and downs. But the good news is that the coins are staying in Jersey.
“We began this project with the right goals and have succeeded in achieving something for everyone.”
John Le Fondre, the Chief Minister for Jersey (left), said that the purchase was in the best interests of Jersey.
John Le Fondre, Chief Minister of Haiti, stated that the purchase was made in the interests of the Island.
He stated, “This outcome will ensure that Jersey’s unique history is preserved for future generations.”
“Since the discovery of the hoard nine years ago by Jersey Heritage conservators and archaeologists, volunteers have examined it. However, there are still many things that the hoard can tell us about Jersey and the place we have in the world during the time Christ came.”