Metal detector user jailed for selling fake coins....

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Here:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6261804.ece

A metal detector enthusiast who claimed to have discovered hoards of valuable antiquities during years of treasure hunting has been convicted of selling modern fakes.

David Hutchings, known to fellow users as “Coldfeet”, was renowned for finding rare items. But his reputation lies in tatters after he pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud and was jailed for six months.

Hutchings, 43, was the organiser of the Coventry Moles metal detecting club, which held archaeological searches across the Midlands. He used legitimate digs to “discover” fake items before passing them off as genuine antiquities. Some buyers were told that the items had been verified at the British Museum.

Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques Unit raided his home in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, after an Essex-based dealer raised concerns about a set of coins Hutchings was trying to sell.

During the searches they discovered a number of real coins that are believed to have been used as a base for test striking during the manufacture of some of the fake items.

Warwick Crown Court was told last week that Hutchings had tried to sell the Essex dealer £2,000 worth of coins that he said dated from the 1st to the 8th century. He had already sold similar coins to two other dealers for a total of £1,400.

Experts from the British Museum and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, assessed the coins and concluded that all had either been manufactured by casting in a mould or struck using forged dies.

When questioned by police, Hutchings, who was unemployed, claimed that he had bought the coins from two dealers, “Gary and Steve”, believing they were genuine. Hutchings — who used other names including David Chester and Roy Chestert — said that he did not know where the dealers were.

Hutchings has been the subject of speculation among metal-detecting enthusiasts. Despite many dramatic finds over the years, there had been growing suspicion about his claims to have discovered antiquities many miles from where they would normally be found.

There were also rumours that he had been involved in “nighthawking”, illegally looting protected historical sites.

Roy Blunt, a verifier for the UK Detector Finds Database said that Hutchings had recorded about 80 finds in recent years.

“He is a strange character,” he said. “There was a general view that the find-spots he recorded were not reliable. He seemed to find items where you would not normally expect to see them.”

Mr Blunt said he had first raised concern about Hutchings when he recorded an Anglo Saxon Shilling which he claimed to have found in Warwickshire in July 2007. Two experts later contacted him challenging its legitimacy.

Another metal detector user said last night: “Coldfeet was known as a bit of a rogue. We are pleased he has been jailed — we don’t need people like him damaging the reputation of detectoring.”

 

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[Monty]

Too bad he didn't display any of his "finds" here. I think our "What Is It" bunch would have spotted him right off. Monty

 

[shaun7]

has anyone heard from crusader today

 

[CRUSADER]

has anyone heard from crusader today

Its about time they jailed these people, it will give me a stick to hit those ebay barstewards.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Too bad he didn't display any of his "finds" here. I think our "What Is It" bunch would have spotted him right off. Monty

Unless he posted them in "Today's Finds", in which case we would all say "nice finds!" or "banner!".

You mean "in which case the only thing we're Allowed to say is "nice finds!" or "banner!"

 

[Steve_UK]

Psssst.... wanna buy some genuine Spanish Gold coins?

First one to call the cops, I eat the evidence.

 

[CRUSADER]

Psssst.... wanna buy some genuine Spanish Gold coins?

First one to call the cops, I eat the evidence.

I ate alot of evidence myself

 

[Steve_UK]

They are at least worthy of a banner nomination, methinks...

 

[shaun7]

They are at least worthy of a banner nomination, methinks...

funny enough, they look just like crusaders celtic staters!

 

[Steve_UK]

They are at least worthy of a banner nomination, methinks...

funny enough, they look just like crusaders celtic staters!

Aye up... I've started something...

 

[shaun7]

They are at least worthy of a banner nomination, methinks...

funny enough, they look just like crusaders celtic staters!

Aye up... I've started something...

no, it can't be cru as he has replied and is obviously not in prison

 

[BuckleBoy]

Psssst.... wanna buy some genuine Spanish Gold coins?

First one to call the cops, I eat the evidence.      

I would accuse you of posting finds that weren't dug....but I can't because I don't have "proof."   

 

[EDDE]

We had en English guy as a poster on TreasureNet awhile back. He would come to America to detect, find these funky pearls and gold cobs, and Indian gold artifacts, post them, and then run back to England and sell them.

I wonder if it was the same fellow.

I think he and BigCypressHunter had quite the rapport.

TallPaul

 

[CRUSADER]

Psssst.... wanna buy some genuine Spanish Gold coins?

First one to call the cops, I eat the evidence.

I would accuse you of posting finds that weren't dug....but I don't have "proof."

he does dig iron, so its only logical he digs foil as well

 

[Steve_UK]

Psssst.... wanna buy some genuine Spanish Gold coins?

First one to call the cops, I eat the evidence.

I would accuse you of posting finds that weren't dug....but I don't have "proof."

he does dig iron, so its only logical he digs foil as well

Now.... if it's iron you are interested in.... I can do you all a deal!!!

 

[BuckleBoy]

Psssst.... wanna buy some genuine Spanish Gold coins?

First one to call the cops, I eat the evidence.

I would accuse you of posting finds that weren't dug....but I can't because I don't have "proof."

So instead I'll just reply to your post and say "I've never seen Chocolate come out of the ground looking that nice. You must have some GREAT soil up there!"

 

[Steve_UK]

Psssst.... wanna buy some genuine Spanish Gold coins?

First one to call the cops, I eat the evidence.

I would accuse you of posting finds that weren't dug....but I can't because I don't have "proof."

So instead I'll just reply to your post and say "I've never seen Chocolate come out of the ground looking that nice. You must have some GREAT soil up there!"

It's pretty good, but the wet Spring ruined the cola harvest...

 

[shaun7]

Psssst.... wanna buy some genuine Spanish Gold coins?

First one to call the cops, I eat the evidence.

I would accuse you of posting finds that weren't dug....but I can't because I don't have "proof."

So instead I'll just reply to your post and say "I've never seen Chocolate come out of the ground looking that nice. You must have some GREAT soil up there!"

It's pretty good, but the wet Spring ruined the cola harvest...

i hate those

 

[jeff of pa]

I'd say "Somone Planted That for you to Find"
Also
But that would be Wrong without Proof

It Took An Investigation To prove That

Not Unproven Accusations 8)

 

[BuckleBoy]

I'd say "Somone Planted That for you to Find"
Also
But that would be Wrong without Proof

It Took An Investigation To prove That

Not Unproven Accusations 8)

How about "I planted that there for you to find!" As long as I didn't have selective amnesia, it'd be pretty easy to prove.