Ultra-rare medieval coin with royal link sells for a jaw-dropping price – after being found languishing down a drain
A RARE gold coin dating back nearly 700 years has sold for an eye-watering sum after being found down a field drain.
The 14th century artefact was found in Norfolk in 1910 and dates back to the reign of King Edward III.
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It was struck following the Treaty of Bretigny in 1361 and omits the King’s claim to France during the Hundred Years War.
Edward is depicted on a warship holding a sword and shield during a victory over the French at the 1340 Battle of Sluys.
The seller bought the coin in 1970 and it sold for £9,500 at the Spink and Son sale in London.
Auctioneer Gregory Edmund said: “The glint of gold is as attractive to modern eyes as it was to Medieval Kings.
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“For this remarkably preserved and high-value Medieval coin to have languished in a lowly field drain for centuries before coming to light is, if anything, quite romantic.”
Originally the incredible collection, dating back King Edward III’s reign, was snubbed by the British Museum.
This meant the hoard was open to bidders who wanted to pay privately to own it.
They were made between 1327 and 1377, showing the design of King Edward III on a warship with a mighty sword and shield.
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It depicts defeating the French during the Battle of Sluys in 1340.
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The Medieval coin has an inscription which reads: “King of England, by the Grace of God, and Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine”.
The coin went up for sale at Spinks auction in London.
It comes after a treasure hunter won a top-notch metal detector in a raffle — and used it to unearth a £23,000 hoard of silver coins three months later.
Mickey Richardson dug up 234 coins — believed to have been buried in 1644 during the Civil War — in a muddy field.
The novice handed the coins to a finds liaison officer but got them back as “finders keepers”.
He was “jumping up and down” as he watched online when they were sold at London auctioneers Spink & Son for £18,500.
With fees, the price was £23,000.
Mickey, of Bournemouth, must split the proceeds with the landowner but plans to fund a holiday with wife Rosalynd from his share.