£50,000 reward offered in search for rare Scots coins stolen in 2007

A £50,000 reward has been offered in the ongoing search for a valuable collection of rare Scottish coins that were stolen in 2007. The coins, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, were taken from the home of Lord and Lady Stewartby in Broughton, near Peebles, in the Scottish Borders. Despite efforts to locate the missing coins, they have yet to be recovered.

The late Lord Stewartby had generously donated the remainder of his coin collection to the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow in 2017. The stolen coins, however, remain a significant loss to Scottish heritage and history. Jesper Ericsson, the curator of numismatics at the Hunterian, expressed the importance of these early medieval Scottish coins, describing them as rare and crucial to Scotland’s numismatic history.

The missing coins span nearly 150 years of Scottish history, from around 1136 during the reign of David I to around 1280 and the reign of Alexander III. Lord Stewartby, who had spent over 70 years building his collection, was meticulously cataloguing the coins before they were stolen in what was believed to be a targeted theft. His wife, Lady Stewartby, emphasised the cultural and historical significance of these coins to Scotland’s heritage.

Crimestoppers has launched an appeal with a substantial reward of £50,000 for any information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the theft. The appeal, supported by an anonymous donor, aims to encourage individuals to come forward with any relevant information that could help recover the missing coins. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

The important collection of Scottish coins holds great value not only in monetary terms but also in preserving Scotland’s rich heritage. The hope is that through this reward and appeal, the missing coins will be traced and returned to their rightful place at the Hunterian Museum. The national importance of these coins to Scotland’s history underscores the urgency of finding and restoring them for future generations to appreciate.

In summary, the theft of these rare Scottish coins in 2007 was a significant blow to Scottish heritage and history. The ongoing efforts to recover them, including the recent Crimestoppers appeal with a substantial reward, highlight the importance of preserving and protecting Scotland’s cultural treasures. The hope is that with the public’s help, these valuable coins will be located and returned to enrich the nation’s numismatic heritage once again.