An ornate silver medieval reliquary pendant found by metal detector enthusiast Kenneth Lunn in a field at Jeffreyston, was declared Treasure Trove by the Pembrokeshire Coroner today.
At an inquest at Milford Haven Coroner Mr Michael Howells read a report from Dr Mark Redknap, Curator of Medieval and Later Archaeology at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, who said the pendant was discovered in January by Mr Lunn of Orange Gardens, Pembroke.
Weighing 17.61 grammes, it was found about four inches deep on land occupied by Mr Andrew Morgan where medieval coins had earlier been detected. Bearing the haloed images of several religious figures, including, Christ, St John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene and St Katharine, it can be dated between 1500 and 1550.
Tests have shown that it is made of an alloy of 10% silver and the National Museum wants to acquire it for its collection. The imagery, said Dr Redknap, is similar to that found in the medieval church of Llandeilo Talybont, near Pontardulais, which has been rebuilt in the National Folk Museum at St Fagans.
The Coroner said: "I am satisfied that it is at least 10% silver, at least 300 years old and possibly older, and it is therefore treasure under the Treasure Act 1996, and I so declare."
No estimate of the value of the pendant has been given, but it is usual for the finder to share the value after the experts have decided how much it is worth.
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