Coroner to decide if stash of sovereigns found in old piano is treasure

A coroner is to consider whether a large hoard of gold coins found hidden in an old piano can be classed as treasure.

The stash of sovereigns, some dating to Queen Victoria's reign, were discovered when the instrument's new owners decided to have it re-tuned.

The Shropshire coroner is convening a treasure inquest in Shrewsbury, onThursday, which is expected to determine the coins' fate.

Experts have already described the hoard, featuring coins dating from the late 19th century to 1915, as a "stunning" find.

In the early part of the last century, the piano was sold to a music shop inSaffron Walden, Essex, and then sold on to a local family.

The coins were found in the piano Credit: PA

More recently through private sale the instrument, made in 1906, made its way to Shropshire where the discovery of coins was made by the latest owners in December 2016.

Peter Reavill, of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme, said:

The coins could become property of the Crown if found to be treasure Credit: PA

Since the discovery was made, a search has been under way to trace therelatives of whoever put the coins in the upright Broadwood & Sons-made piano.

If the descendants can be traced they have a claim but if not, and the coinsare held to be treasure, they become the property of the Crown.

A hearing in March was adjourned by the coroner to allow for more time forpotential claimants to come forward.