In the picturesque county of Kent, England, a fascinating treasure trove has come to light. Phil Castle, 71, and his wife Joan, 70, are the lucky couple behind the discovery of five exceptionally well-preserved gold coins that trace their origins back to the 14th century. These remarkable artifacts, estimated to hold a value of up to $18,600, will soon find themselves on the auction block, with the bidding set to commence on May 24th.
The intact coins after centuries buried underground. Photo: Chris Dyer
The journey to this extraordinary find began in October 2018, when Phil and Joan were indulging in one of their favorite pastimes - metal detecting. Their explorations took them to a field near their residence in New Romney, Kent. In a moment of serendipity, they unearthed a medieval copper alloy wallet buried approximately 20 cm beneath the earth's surface.
This centuries-old wallet revealed an astonishing collection of coins. Dating back to the reign of King Edward III, these coins boast a diameter of 3.4 cm. One side of the coins displays the regal imagery of the Plantagenet royal family, depicted with sword and shield, while the reverse side features a prominent cross. During their era of circulation, these coins held the highest denomination, equivalent to an impressive $3,100 in today's currency.
The story takes an intriguing turn when Joan initially stumbled upon a fractured gold coin on the surface. The excitement escalated as their metal detector pinpointed the presence of a 14th-century wallet nearby. Over the course of the next two hours, they uncovered five additional coins within a span of approximately 4.9 meters. However, upon closer examination, experts determined that the broken coin was a counterfeit.
Anticipation is building as the wallet and its precious contents are slated to go under the hammer, with an expected auction price ranging from $14,900 to $18,600 when the gavel falls on May 24th. Nigel Mills, an antiquities consultant at Noonans auction house, shed light on the historical significance of these coins. He revealed that they were minted between 1351 and 1361, a period when such coins were exceptionally rare and typically crafted from silver rather than gold. With the exception of the counterfeit coin, the remaining five coins stand as genuine relics, bearing unique historical value.
This captivating discovery, documented by An Khang and originally reported by Newsweek, invites us to appreciate the allure of history that continues to captivate our imaginations, even after centuries have passed.
Souce: An Khang (Theo Newsweek)
