Ancient royal treasure unearthed
A royal 'touch-piece' - a gold coin-like object - used by monarchs to cure disease more than 300 years ago has been discovered on Bryn Aber Farm, Overton, near Wrexham, writes Carl Butler.
After being inspected at the National Museum Wales, Cardiff, experts dated the medal back to James II, King of England (1685-88). And it is thought to be the only one of its kind ever found in Wales.
Touch-pieces formed part of the ceremony called 'touching for the King's Evil. The monarch's touch was said to cure a skin disease called scrofula. Patients were given the gold gift suspended on a white riband as a memento.