A TREASURE hoard lost many generations ago is to be offered by Lawrences of Crewkerne.

It must be every metal detectorists dream - the shine in the earth of a coin lost for centuries coming to light for the first time.

The first coin followed by another, then a gold coin and more silver.

The tale of the hoard’s discovery is almost fairy-tale like.

Having spent an autumn morning in a field used for grazing, it was only after giving up for the day that the pair turned came across a silver groat, then three more.

The potential of the site was immediately clear and after careful work with fellow detectorists alongside the landowner, the full extent of the hoard was revealed.

The collection of coins was recorded on the PAS scheme and a Coroner’s report compiled stating the full detail of the find.

The report said: "The coins belong to the reigns of Henry IV, first reign and Edward IV first reign, the period of the Wars of the Roses.

"They are a highly selected group of good condition, high value coins and do not simply reflect the general coinage in circulation at the time.

"The majority of the coins appear to be a group of closely dated coins of the same denomination.

"This close grouping does not reflect the general distribution in coinage at the time and may reflect specific episodes of payment or saving of money, brought as a group from the mint - a closure date for the hoard of 1468 or 1469 might be expected.

"The one Irish coin however is normally thought to date to 1470 at the earliest.

"The large proportion of Bristol coins is noteworthy and the lack of other mints suggesting selection into the hoard group soon after minting before they had become mixed with the general currency."

Offered by Lawrences as individual lots, these coins are from the Wars of the Roses period.

The collection will be offered for sale on Thursday, November 24, and could fetch more than £15,000.

For further information, contact specialist Matthew Denney at Lawrences - phone 01460 73041 or email matthew.denney@lawrences.co.uk.

All lots online at lawrences.co.uk