Overton, Wrexham (UK)  —   A man with his metal detector discovered a 17th century gold coin-like object on farm land in Wrexham, North Wales.

It’s similar in appearance to a coin, but has a small whole as if made to hang from a chain. That and its design helped identify its true purpose several hundred years ago - to cure the sick.

Well, it was at least used as an instrument in that attempt. It’s not a surgical tool, but instead was used by monarchs and is known as a "touch-piece".

Kings and Queens were thought by many to have the power to cure with their touch. And during this touch, monarchs used a touch piece - sometimes to insolate themselves from actually making contact with the sick.

After the touch ceremony, the sick person often received the touch piece as a kind of memento. That helped breed the touch piece notoriety as a type of charm.

The particular touch piece discovered dates from between 1685 to 1688, during the time of James II, King of England. It’s extremely rare as it may be the only one to ever have been discovered in Wales.

The Evening Leader reported on this in Treasure found in field with metal detector.