Seven inches below the ground in Greater Manchester, an incredible 650-year-old discovery was made

Coins dating back around 650 years have been found in Greater Manchester. As well dealing with deaths, coroners are sometimes tasked with deciding whether historical finds are 'treasure' and were legitimately found.

This week, north Manchester coroner Julie Mitchell presided over a hearing concerning four coins discovered by detectorist Mark Wilkinson in Bury on April 16 last year. Rochdale Coroners' Court did not hear exactly where they were found.

That information is kept secret to protect the land from other would-be treasure hunters. The court heard Mr Wilkinson has been metal detecting for four years after retiring.

READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community

He's spent many hours searching plots in Bury and Lancashire but Mr Wilkinson hit the jackpot last year, finding a gold Half-Noble coin of King Edward III; two Edward III silver groats; and a silver Scottish Groat of Edward II.

Expert Carl Savage said they dated from around 1360 to 1377, dubbing them a legitimate historical find. Inquests have to be carried out if two or more coins are found and if they're at least 300-years-old and constitute more than 10 per cent precious metal.

The inquest heard Mr Wilkinson had the landowner's permission to detect on the land. Mr Wilkinson told the coroner he had permission to detect on various plots in the area.

The coins, he added, were buried at least seven inches deep and that after he found them and he washed them as carefully as he could.

Coroner Ms Mitchell accepted the correct procedures had been followed. Reports from the British Museum and Mr Savage confirmed the find was indeed treasure.

She said it was a 'remarkable find' and is only the second in the north Manchester