A man equipped with a metal detector was able to find a small piece of old gold treasure. The treasure is believed to date back to the 17^th century and it is surely an exclusive find for Wales.

Philip Richard Jones was passing through his land at Overton with a metal detector when he found the James II gold piece which is a unique example found in Wales.

John Hughes, North East Wales coroner, was the one to officially declared treasure. This was performed at Flint magistrates court request.

The gold piece resembling a coin dates to a period between 1685 and 1688. It was dug out in July and later in August it was transferred to the National Museum.

On one of its sides the piece includes a sailing ship. The other side illustrates St Michael and the dragon. The coin resembling touch-piece has a small hole and it is made "of a high fineness" gold.

It is interesting to note that the touch pieces are part of scrofula, that implies touching for "the King's evil" ceremony. Back to 1465, the times of Edward IV, people had a belief that the touch of the Kind could cure, that is why the King touched patients with a coin named angel-noble.

These were coins of the realm. The last one was made by Charles I, a king that reigned in the period between 1625 and 1649. After the execution of Prince Charles and the rule of the Parliament established in England, the ritual was abolished.

After Charles II became the ruler, bringing a period of Restoration, the ritual was once again brought to life and ill people continued being touched by the gold medallion, which included the essential design of the noble. The medallion received the name of touch-piece.

"An expert from the National Museum of Wales believes that this is treasure and I agreed with that. The National Museum wants to buy it and it looks to be unique in Wales," stated Mr. Hughes after the examination to the Leader.

Because of a wear the ship, found on the obverse side of the medallion was slightly visible, however, the top right half of both St Michael and the Dragon was quite noticeable.

The specialists working at the British Museum, analyzed the surface of the coin and declared that the content of the coin include 90 percent of pure gold.