W2C-005 Belfast Telegraph 4-5.txt
Pensioner strikes it rich with Roman treasures Press Association

Retired gardener Eric Lawes was today looking forward to a glowing future as a probable multi-millionaire after a coroner's jury decided that a hoard of 14,000 Roman coins and jewellery he found with his metal detector is treasure trove.

But 70-year-old Mr Lowes, who unearthed the historic treasures while searching for lost tools on Home Farm, at Hoxne, Suffolk last November, is totally relaxed about the whole thing.
After yesterday's jury ruling in Lowestoft, a calm Mr Lawes said: "I am glad it is all over. We shall just wait and see now.
"I was not that excited. It was just one of those things.

Public

"The place for this is in the British Museum for all the public to see."

He will share the money with his friend Peter Whatling, the tenant farmer of the land where the treasure was buried.

Mr Lawes and Mr Whatling said they had signed a partnership deal once it became clear how important the find was. The cash will be decided on by a special committee from the Department of National Heritage.

Mr Lawes was praised for bringing in experts from Suffolk County Council's archaeological department, who were astonished to find thousands of coins, sets of spoons, pepper pots and other valuables from the fifth century.
