Anglo-Saxon silver artefact found in field in Mold
An Anglo-Saxon silver artefact found by a metal detectorist could be worth thousands of pounds, a hearing is told.
Chris Morris unearthed a decorative "strap end" which is 35mm long on farmland near Mold, Flintshire.
Analysis by the National Museum in Cardiff concluded it is from the late 8th or 9th Century.
John Gittins, coroner for north east Wales and central, declared it treasure after an inquest was told the museum is interested in acquiring the piece.
But Mr Morris from Pantymwyn, near Mold, told the coroner he would like to keep the artefact for himself, adding that hopefully its value was " in the thousands rather than the hundreds".
Mr Morris made the discovery in May 2012 when he also found a silver ring which he believes is a hawking ring - used on the leg of a bird of prey.
On another occasion, in March 2013, he found six silver coins in Gwernaffield, near Mold, dating back to the mid 17th Century and which were also declared treasure at the Wrexham inquest.
Flintshire Museum Service has expressed an interest in the coins.