A dishonest metal detectorist who planted ancient coins in a field would have changed western Britain’s history had his lie not been uncovered, a court heard.
Michael Jones, 64, had bought five medieval coins on eBay for £200 dating back to Crusader times.
Mr Jones, from south Wales, buried the rare coins in field during a metal detecting rally at a farm in Titley, Herefordshire in July 2021.
The metal detectorist then pretended to find the ancient coins during the meeting in an attempt to make himself ‘look good,’ The Times reported.
Michael Jones (pictured), 64, had bought five coins on eBay for £200 dating back to Crusader times
Mr Jones, from south Wales, buried the rare coins in field during a metal detecting rally at a farm in Titley, Herefordshire in July 2021. Pictured: The five coins
The metal detectorist then pretended to find the ancient coins during the meeting in an attempt to make himself ‘look good,’ The Times reported. Pictured: Hereford magistrates’ court
Mr Jones told Hereford magistrates’ court that he had faked his find, ‘for the fame and bravado that goes with it’.
He was found not guilty of fraud.
At the time he declared his find as treasure, however, no other coins were discovered in the area which raised suspicions and triggered an investigation.
If the coins, which were rare silver deniers, had been truly been found in the field it would have reshaped the history of the Welsh borders and Hertfordshire according to archaeologists.
The coins were minted between 1163 and 1201 in Turkey, once called Antioch and had never been found in the area before.
Officials found the silver deniers Mr Jones had bought on eBay and contacted the seller to confirm.
This discovery led to his arrest and he later admitted that he had buried them during a police interview.
Mr Jones told the court: ‘It was stupid, I know. It was a feel-good thing, I just wanted to make myself look good. It was a moment of insanity, I just didn’t think.’
He declared his find as treasure, however, no other coins were discovered in the area which raised suspicions and triggered an investigation. (Stock Image.)
Another metal detectorist and member of the same club, Adrian Harris, was with Mr Jones when he made the discovery.
Mr Harris told the court how excited he was at Mr Jones’s find but noted how the 64-year-old did not seem shocked.
Sue Furnival, chairwoman of the magistrates, found Mr Jones not guilty of fraud.
She said: ‘You did make false representations, but the crown could not prove financial gain, therefore we find you not guilty.’