17th century dress fastener unearthed

The artefact was unearthed on July 6 last year, a treasure inquest at Wakefield Coroner’s Court heard.

The man was searching in a field with his metal detector when he found the silver clip, which is thought to be around 300 years old.

Reading a statement from him, Coroner David Hinchliff said: “In July 2014 I was on land in the Wakefield area conducting a search of the land with the full permission of the land owner.

“During the search my metal detecting equipment gave a signal of metal and I started to excavate the ground.

“I dug around two to three inches deep and unearthed a silver looking object. I could then see what I thought was a metal fastener.”

The man then contacted finds liaison officer Amy Downes.

The artefact was later sent for examination to the British Museum.

Experts found the fastener had four pellets and two small clips for sewing it to textiles.

Mr Hinchliff formally declared the fastener as treasure.

The exact location of the field was not revealed at the hearing.