Published 24/08/2026 By William Turtle-Clark

Forty-four medieval silver coins and an ingot are among the historic items set to be examined as treasure inquests open in Hereford.

The inquests are being opened at Hereford’s Coroner’s Court, with proceedings taking place at Gardner Hall in Venns Lane.

A separate treasure inquest will also open into the discovery of early medieval silver pennies, with a full hearing scheduled to take place at a later date.

Under the Treasure Act 1996, objects more than 300 years old and containing over 10 per cent precious metal are legally classed as treasure. Anyone who discovers items believed to be historical treasure is required by law to report them, with failures to do so carrying penalties of an unlimited fine or up to three months in prison.

The openings follow a previous inquest earlier this year, which declared an assemblage of 18 copper alloy and silver objects discovered by metal detectorists in July 2024 as official treasure.