On the 19th of April 1966 on the lowered shoreline of the freshwater loch in Carrick, Scotland named Loch Doon, a young angler named James T. Buchanan of Dalmellington, saw some coins brightly shining in the sunlight exposed in the mud of the foreshore. He gathered on that day 1,843 coins. Later with the help of fellow angler Mr G Tulip, they returned to find another 44 coins, therefore the total was 1,887 pieces. The coins were handed to the police the next day and declared a Treasure Trove, from which a substantial reward was later awarded to the finders for the 382 coins retained by the museums, with the remainder finding their way to the coin market. The Edwardian long cross pennies made up 1,762 of the total number of coins found.

The Loch had been dammed in the 1930s, and the water level was therefore higher than it would have been in medieval times when the hoard was deposited in an earthenware jar, the base of which only survived. The coins evident in the treasure were used to give a date of possible deposition, and the numismatists who studied it concluded that it is likely it was hidden between August 1331 and July 1335.

Turning to the history of what was occurring at that time in Scotland, Edward Balliol (1283-1364) the son of John Balliol arrived in August 1332 to make a claim to the throne and defeated the new Regent Mar at Dupplin near Perth and was subsequently crowned at Scone in September. However, he was forced back south of the border within three months. Balliol later returned in May 1333 to besiege Berwick with a victory in July at Halidon Hill. Balliol granted the southern counties of Scotland to Edward III in 1334 leading to new English campaigns into Scotland through to 1335. Such unrest in the country could have led to such treasure troves as this being hidden in the ground, and subsequent non-return by the owner.

The Royal Mint are pleased to give you the opportunity to own an original Medieval Edwardian Silver Long Cross Penny that is guaranteed to be from the famous Loch Doon treasure hoard.