An English gold coin, minted in the 1420s and recently found on the province’s south coast, is believed to be the oldest English coin ever found on Canadian soil.

Provincial archaeologist Jamie Brake calls the discovery by Edward Hynes, “a big deal.”

The coin was found on a beach near a known archaeological site. Brake says they’re looking at the possibility of further research in the area.

He credits the way Hynes handled the discovery and recognized that found artifacts are protected under the Historic Resources Act. Brake can’t say for certain how a coin of that age ended up on a beach in Newfoundland.

Brake won’t reveal where the discovery was made to maintain the integrity of the site, but does say there is a known Basques presence in the area along with an early 18th century English presence.

The coin has been identified as a Henry VI quarter noble, minted in London between 1422 and 1427. The oldest coin previously discovered in Newfoundland was a silver coin minted in the 1490s uncovered at the Cuper’s Cove Plantation in Cupids.