A TREASURE trove of hidden gems has been discovered in the area during the past few years, an inquest has found.

A series of objects were discovered by members of the public and were declared as treasure by Joanne Lees, assistant coroner for North East Wales and Central.

A hoard of medieval coins were found by Cliff Massey and Peter Walpole with metal detectors. Edward Besly, Honorary Research Fellow of the National Museum Wales said the coins were probably deposited together in the late 1460s around the time of the War of the Roses.

The 10 silver coins and one gold coin were found in June and September 2017 near Bronington, Wrexham and the hearing heard how the coins form an addition to a larger coin hoard and finger ring, reported as treasure by the same finders between 2012 and 2014. Mrs Lees said the Wrexham County Borough Museum expressed an interest in the items.

Also found to be treasure was a small silver annular brooch, discovered in Cilcain by James Cain, on November 13, 2016, which was found to be from the 13th or 14th century. A report from Mark Redknap, of the National Museum of Cardiff said one face is decorated with an incised zig-zag pattern while the other has a crudely incised inscription in lettering which may be an attempt to recreate a religious inscription.

Mrs Lees told the hearing that in order for something to be deemed as treasure, it must have a minimum of the required metal (e.g gold and silver) and must be at least 300-years-old.

A gold ring was found in the Esclusham Community, Wrexham, by Craig and Andrew Haynes while out metal detecting on August 6, 2016. The ring is a mourning ring with a skull and flowers engraved on the outer surface inlaid with black enamel. The inner surface of the ring is inscribed with the text 'In remembrance of TA'.

In a report read from Dr Redknap it said mourning rings were popular from the post-medieval period.

Of the finds, Dr Redknap added: "It is intended that many of these discoveries will be purchased with Heritage Lottery funding provided via the Saving Treasures; Telling Stories project, after they have been independently valued by the Treasure Valuation Committee. All finds except one will be acquired by accredited local museums in north-east Wales."

In November 2016, Bob Davies discovered a small silver annular brooch in Holt Community, Wrexham, which is of a four-lobed shape and has the inscription 'Hail Mary' on the front face in a Lombardic script. The brooch was dated by style and from similar finds elsewhere to the 14th Century and weighs 2.11g.

Treasure was also found by Ray Mitchell in June 2014 who found a silver ring from the Rossett Community. It is known as a fidelity ring and shows two clasped hands, indicating friendship or love. The ring, which was dated to the late 14th or early 15th Century appears to be one given as a betrothal gift.

An association of six Roman coins were found in the Sesswick Community by Andy Jones around August 23, 2018. The silver denarii were dated from the second century AD and included issues of Emperors Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and his wife Diva Faustina and Deva Fal Steva. The figures on two of the coins were uncertain.

Five of the ten objects will be acquired by Wrexham County Borough Museum Archives and Steve Grenter, heritage services manager, said the museum is delighted to have required the objects.

He added: "We are grateful to Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales and the Saving Treasures, Telling Stories project for their assistance with the acquisition. They will form a significant addition to our archaeological collections."

The Saving Treasures; Telling Stories project is a five-year partnership project between Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales (AC-NMW), the Portable Antiquities Scheme Cymru (PAS Cymru), and the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales (FED). The project has been acquiring treasure and non-treasure objects discovered by members of the public, on behalf of accredited museums across Wales since 2015."

Treasure was also found across Denbighshire , including a post-medieval silver seal matrix (Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd), a medieval silver gilt crucifix (Cwm) and a Roman coin association (Llanynys). A post-medieval gold finger ring was also found from the Abergele community.