Reward over 15th Century gold coin theft in Kent

[Neil]

  A US tourist has offered a reward for the return of a 500-year-old gold coin, which was stolen from a house in Kent.

Hal McGirt, from South Carolina, found a Henry VII gold "angel" coin, dating from 1490, in fields while he was on holiday in Norfolk in August 2009. He gave it to a friend who lives in Sittingbourne for safe keeping while an export licence was being sought but thieves burgled his home on 9 March. Mr McGirt said he was desperate to get the coin back.

He added: "I have been metal detecting regularly in the UK since 1994 with mixed results.

"When I uncovered the Henry VII angel last year, it was the best object I had ever found. I am very disappointed that I will not get to see it.

"There is only a long shot that the coin will be in the condition in which I found it. However, if it is, I am willing to pay £500 for its return."

Phil Talbot said a DVD player, laptop computer and a small amount of cash were also stolen during the burglary. A spokeswoman for Kent Police said they were investigating the theft of the items from the house and appealed for anyone with information to contact officers.