Detectorist’s shipwreck treasure on display at Swansea museum

Hughes said he had been to the beach more than 1,000 times and spent thousands of hours searching for the shipwreck’s treasure.

He said the vast majority of his visits to the beach had ended up with him finding nothing, adding that it was lucky he had a “high tolerance to disappointment” and the “thrill of searching just kept me going”.

The treasure has now gone on display at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.

Amgueddfa Cymru said the stretch of beach was now a protected site to preserve any other potential remains of the ship, meaning it is no longer legal to search there.

“Not only are the coins and artefacts spectacular, but they are backed up by a wealth of contemporary records that bring together stories of sailors, looters, lords, a smuggler and even a woman accused of witchcraft,” said the museum’s Alistair Willis.

“These stories and the collection are fascinating, and it is wonderful that Amgueddfa Cymru has the opportunity to display them.”

Willis also hoped it would inspire other metal detectorists to report their findings.