Imagine a simple walk in the field that leads to a discovery worth thousands of dollars. This is precisely what happened to a coin-hunter who unearthed a buried treasure of 430 Roman-era coins, taking us back to as far as 5BC.
The Big Unveiling
A spectacular collection of 73 out of these found coins was put up for auction in London. The sale fetched a whopping £15,000, which is approximately ,000. A standout coin amongst the lot, known for its depiction of a phoenix on a globe, was stated to be a token given to Roman warriors. This particular coin alone brought in ,400 at the auction.
The Finder’s Fortune
Luck seemed to favour the discoverer, who was able to keep all the proceeds from the auction. The UK law states that any artifacts found and considered as treasures need to be reported to the authorities. In this case, no museum or landowner staked a claim to these coins, allowing the discoverer to enjoy the full bounty.
Valuable Finds Across the Pond
And it's not just the UK where such valuable coin discoveries are made. Take for instance, the historic find by a Florida teenager in the US. While underwater, the teen stumbled upon a gold coin that was part of a 1715 Spanish treasure fleet, now estimated to be worth around ,000.
Modern Age Treasures
But it's not just ancient coins that hold unexpected worth. Modern coins can surprise you with their value too. A Lincoln penny discovered by a mother was found to be worth ,000 and a cent from a high school cafeteria raked in a massive ,000 at an auction.
The Key to Treasure Hunting
- Persistence: According to coin specialist Nigel Mills, persistence in searching is the key. It might seem like looking for a needle in a haystack, but as these stories suggest, the treasure is out there for those willing to seek it.