merrion street

Heritage Minister Jimmy Deenihan today viewed one of the most significant finds of 17th century gold coins ever found in Ireland which has been lodged with the National Museum of Ireland. The hoard was unearthed on 14th January during ground works being undertaken at Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir. It appears that the coins were concealed in soil under the floor-boards of a premises and they were spotted by one of the builders while carrying out works .

The find consists of eighty one gold coins dating to the reigns of Charles II, James II, William and Mary and William III.

The coins have yet to be examined by the Museum in detail but they appear to be mainly guineas and a small number of half guineas. The Guinea was a British gold coin minted by the Royal Mint between 1663 and 1814. The coins were in four denominations and they were called ‘Guineas’ because the gold used in making some of them came from West Africa.

Minister Deenihan said:

I commend the National Museum of Ireland for the role they are playing in examining and preserving these highly significant artefacts. The collection of the National Museum is nationally and internationally important, and is greatly enhanced by finds like this which open a fascinating window to our collective past.

The coins are reported to have been found “in a line together” and may have been wrapped and held together by some material in the past though this has not survived. The site has subsequently been investigated by archaeologists from the National Museum of Ireland and the National Monuments Service.

Read the full press release

.