“30 Years of Searching Pays Off: Metal Detectorist Duo Uncovers £10 Million Hidden Silver Hoard. An Exclusive Interview with Reg on Their Remarkable Journey”

While many people would avoid spending their leisure time trudging through a damp field in Jersey, enduring rain and wearing bulky headphones, Reg Mead, 70, and Richard Miles, 49, embrace the experience. For an astonishing 30 years, they have tirelessly combed the field, captivated by the breathtaking sea views, meticulously sweeping their cutting-edge metal detectors in search of a hidden treasure dating back 2,000 years. The existence of this treasure was merely hinted at by a farmer’s daughter half a century ago.

Then, on a gloomy February day, Richard’s exclamation of “I’ve got one! I’ve got one!” ignited a burst of excitement. Reg hurried across the field, armed with his top-of-the-range Deepseeker machine, capable of detecting treasures buried up to 8 feet deep. Together, they uncovered a trove of 120 Iron Age silver coins.

Reg couldn’t believe his eyes as he witnessed Richard raising his hand triumphantly, holding 120 coins. However, this was just the beginning. Reg, a part-time satellite engineer, and Richard, a customs and excise officer, were not the type to give up after finding a mere fraction of the treasure. They continued their search in their spare time, persistently combing the field.

Finally, on Tuesday, June 5th, Reg’s Deepseeker picked up an unusually strong signal. The pair called in a team of professional archaeologists, and their collaborative efforts led to the unearthing of over 50,000 handmade coins from the 1st century AD, estimated to be worth an astounding £10 million.

Dr. Philip de Jersey, a former Celtic coin expert from Oxford University (originating from Guernsey, which causes some confusion), described the find as “extremely exciting and very significant,” marking the largest hoard of Iron Age coins ever discovered within the Celtic coin-using world. These coins, slightly larger and heavier than modern 10p pieces, boast exceptional preservation and intricate designs. One side features an exotic Red Indian-style head with tattoos, plaited hair, and a necklace, while the other side showcases a stylized horse. The coins originate from Armorica, the region encompassing modern-day Brittany and Normandy.

Reg reflects on the challenging excavation process, as the coins were fused together, weighing nearly a ton. It took four days of digging and the assistance of a crane to retrieve them. Looking back, Reg acknowledges that there was no logical reason for their perseverance throughout the years. However, something compelled them to continue their quest—a driving force that remained present.

Their journey to uncover the treasure was far from an overnight success. Prior to February, the 20-acre field yielded mostly mundane items, such as a worn thimble, a beer tap, a few bed springs, broken bottles, and some miscellaneous objects. Despite this, Reg couldn’t bring himself to stop searching. Now, he finds himself unable to stop thinking about the people who left the coins buried for over two millennia. He feels a profound connection to their history.

The circumstances surrounding the burial of the treasure are believed to be quite grim. In 55 BC, as Julius Caesar’s army ravaged Gaul and Roman galleys appeared menacingly off the coast, the Coriosolitae, a Celtic tribe, hurriedly buried their treasure in a state of panic. There was no time for elaborate packaging—just a hastily dug hole into which they threw their precious belongings.

Reg, overcome with emotion, ponders the fate of the Coriosolitae. Perhaps they were enslaved or met a tragic end. Regardless, their treasure remained hidden for more than two millennia. Reg questions how anyone could fail to be intrigued by history or the allure of metal-detecting.

However, Reg’s wife of 49 years, Ruth, doesn’t share the same level of obsession. At 70 years old, she is still very attractive, impeccably presented, and incredibly patient.

“Before ‘The Find,’ what he brought home usually ended up in the rubbish bin,” she remarks. “He would show me various items, but they were mostly unremarkable. Just a lot of mud. But it could have been worse. He could have been obsessed with golf. And at least he’s not spending all his time at the pub.”

Since the discovery, Reg and Ruth’s lives have been turned upside down. The constant ringing of the phone has thrown them into disarray. People from all over the world, including America, Australia, Thailand, Canada, Spain, and South Africa, have been calling to express their joy and excitement for them. Ruth, however, wishes the incessant calls would finally cease, as it has become overwhelming and made it difficult for her to think clearly.

On Jersey, the regulations regarding treasure are based on medieval law, requiring an understanding of not only the presence of precious metals but also the circumstances surrounding their burial. While the legalities are being sorted out, which could take up to a year, the coins and other items remain stored in a confidential, air-conditioned location, still fused together as a single, multi-million-pound mass, but now treated with chemicals to prevent further corrosion.

“We’ll receive some form of reward based on a negotiated value, but nobody knows how much. It could be worth more than we anticipate. There might even be jewelry among the coins, but we have to be realistic. For now, we just want to savor the moment,” Reg explains.

But did money never cross their minds during all those years spent searching in the rain?

“Truly,” Reg asserts. “I’m not wealthy, but I have enough to cover my bills, and I wake up each morning appreciating life. I don’t desire to travel the world or buy a new car. Plus, if I returned home in a muddy car from detecting, Ruth would go mad.”

“It may sound silly with all my detecting, but I actually dislike mud,” Richard adds. “A single speck on the kitchen floor and I’m down on my knees with a dustpan and brush.”

Their priorities remain unchanged even after achieving their wildest dreams. Today, their detectors are gathering dust as they neglect their once-beloved hobby. When asked if they plan to resume their search, Reg responds with a wistful smile, “I don’t know. It has ruined my hobby now. How can I possibly get out of bed on a wet, windy January morning to find a few worn coins and trinkets when I’ve discovered everything I ever wanted?”

Oh no! What will they do now? Golf, perhaps?

“Never!” Reg exclaims. “I aim to contribute by establishing a proper Treasure Act for Jersey. After that, I’ll happily continue metal detecting in Heaven, where everything is made of gold and there’s no tin foil.”

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