A treasure hunter who was inspired by BBC comedy Detectorists to take up the hobby found a £50,000 silver coin hoard just two months later.

On a wet day in February 2023 he got a strong signal on his device and dug down to unearth a pottery vessel filled with silver coins.

In total, there were 1,064 coins spanning the reigns of Elizabeth I in the 1560s to Charles I in the 1640s.

The latest coins had been minted a few months before the Battle of Aylesbury during the English Civil War in November 1642.

The vessel may have been a wage pot to pay soldiers who fought in the battle, or the life savings of a wealthy individual who had planned to flee.

He is now selling the hoard, which includes 409 Charles I silver shillings and rare Aberystwyth mint issues, at Essex Coin Auctions.

Auctioneer Adam Staples said: 'This exciting Civil War hoard was uncovered near Aylesbury and consists of 1,064 silver coins hidden within a now broken pottery vessel.

'The earliest coins in the hoard date to the reign of Elizabeth I, and James I is represented by his English, Irish and Scottish issues.

'The latest coins were minted in the autumn of 1642, the beginning of the English Civil War and just prior to the Battle of Aylesbury, which took place a few miles away at Holman's Bridge.

'Amongst the coinage of Charles I are 409 silver shillings, including rare coins struck locally at Oxford, on which King Charles declared to uphold the Protestant Religion, the Laws of England, and the Liberty of Parliament.

'There are also very rare issues from the Aberystwyth mint.

'It is a wonderful discovery.'

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Treasure hunter finds huge silver coin hoard two months after being inspired by BBC comedy Detectorists to take up hobby(https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14793739/Treasure-hunter-finds-huge-silver-coin-hoard-two-months-inspired-BBC-comedy-Detectorists-hobby.html)