A metal detectorist has unearthed a French coin that potentially served as payment for a soldier involved in the Battle of Culloden, an event that occurred 280 years prior.
The artifact, a French 4 sols coin, was found earlier this month by Ian Deveney on land situated between Inverness and the battlefield on the city’s outskirts. Deveney, who works as a tour guide specializing in Scottish history, undertook research into the find. His investigation revealed that soldiers in Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army at Culloden were indeed compensated with French currency.
Treasure Trove Scotland, an organization involved in identifying significant finds for potential museum acquisition, has been informed of the discovery.
Historical Context of the Battle
Charles Edward Stuart, commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, spearheaded a rebellion in 1745 with the objective of claiming the British throne. He was the son of James Edward Stuart, the preceding claimant to the throne.
The Battle of Culloden, which took place on April 16, 1746, pitted the Prince and his forces, referred to as Jacobites, against the government army of King George II. This royal army was under the command of the King’s son, the Duke of Cumberland.
The outcome of the battle was a decisive defeat for the Prince, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,600 men, of whom about 1,500 were Jacobites. This engagement marked the final pitched battle fought on British soil.
The Detectorist’s Experience
Ian Deveney is affiliated with North Detectorists, a group dedicated to locating artifacts linked to the history of the Highlands. He described the moment of discovery:
“It was near the end of the day, and I was quite tired, but I got this great signal. I dug down, and out popped this silver coin.”
Initially, Deveney expressed excitement, believing he had found a medieval hammered coin. However, after cleaning it at his residence, he became intrigued to discover it was a French coin dating back to the 1670s.
He posed the question, “What was a French coin from the 17th Century doing in Inverness?” adding, “It was turbulent times. Britain was at war with France.”
Geopolitical Motivations
Deveney explained that France provided support to the Jacobites for several strategic reasons. Primarily, it served as a method to divert British military resources away from conflicts with French forces on the European continent.
He further elaborated on the payment aspect: “Jacobites did get paid in French currency, particularly the Irish Piquets, Royal Ecossais, and FitzJames’s.”
Recent Archaeological Finds at Culloden
Other discoveries made recently at Culloden Battlefield include musket balls, which were found in October of the previous year. Archaeologists suggest that some of this lead shot is associated with one of the battle’s final engagements. During this action, approximately 150 Irish troops successfully obstructed the advance of charging government cavalry, thereby facilitating the escape of retreating Jacobite fighters.