A collection of rare coins worth around £160,000 has been stolen.

Eastern Daily Press: Coins worth £160,000 have been stolend from a property in Swanton MorleyCoins worth £160,000 have been stolend from a property in Swanton Morley (Image: Norfolk Police)

Seven coins, including ones from the reigns of Henry VIII and Charles I, were taken from a property on Greengate, Swanton Morley.

A man, described as white and aged between 30 and 34, visited the house to inquire about a coin that had been advertised.

While there, he was left alone by the owner who went out of the room to make a phone call.

The man then ran taking the coins.

Eastern Daily Press: Coins worth £160,000 have been stolend from a property in Swanton MorleyCoins worth £160,000 have been stolend from a property in Swanton Morley (Image: Norfolk Police)

The theft happened between 9am and 10.30am on Tuesday, August 12.

Among the artefacts snatched was a 1642 Triple Unite, two Henry VIII Sovereigns, a James Rose Royal, an Elizabeth I Sovereign, a 1692 William and Mary Five Guinea, a 1678 Five Guinea and a 1679 Five Guinea.

Coin dealer Clive Dennett, whose shop is on St Benedict's Street, Norwich, said the items were extremely rare.

He said: 'These are some extremely rare coins.

'One of the coins is a Triple Unite from the reign of Charles I.

'These have been selling at auction in London, depending on condition which is very important, anywhere from £20,000 to £100,000.

'These coins would not have been circulated like we are used to today.

'They would have been in somebody's store. That's why they are usually in very good condition.

'You would only use them for big transactions like buying a racehorse, which today could cost £100,000 so you can see how much they were worth.'

Mr Dennett, who has run his business for 40 years, said it would be very difficult for the thief to sell the items.

'The coin world is a small world,' he said. 'Dealers will have a list of these coins sent to them.

'These lists will be sent to America, Canada, Austrailia and South Africa.

'It is a small world so we know the dealers out there and it is going to be difficult to sell.

'I am frightened that they may get melted down which with such rare coins would be a tragedy.

'The gold value would be a few thousand where as the value to a collector would be between £120,000 and £160,000.'

Anyone with information should contact PC Holly Metcalf at Norfolk police on 101.

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