remarkable discovery dating back centuries has resurfaced in the most unexpected of places, as a medieval gold coin found in a Norfolk sewer prepares to go under the hammer at a prestigious London auction house.
Eastern Daily Press: It depicts King Edward III holding a long sword and shield in a naval victory over the French
The coin, believed to be around 700 years old, was unearthed in a drain in East Raynham, near Fakenham, over a century ago. However, it wasn’t until recently that its true significance was recognized. Featuring a depiction of King Edward III standing on a warship, brandishing a long sword and shield, the coin commemorates the monarch’s naval victory over the French.
Despite its historical significance, the artifact faced an uncertain fate after its initial discovery in 1911. The British Museum, upon examination, “rejected” the coin, leading to its return to the finder. Subsequently, in 1970, it changed hands and has remained in private ownership ever since.
Now, after decades out of the public eye, the coin is poised to make a grand reappearance. Scheduled to be auctioned at Spinks auction house in London on April 4, experts estimate that it could fetch a staggering £8,000.
Auctioneer Gregory Edmund expressed awe at the coin’s journey through time, stating, “The fact that this highly valuable and exceptionally well-preserved medieval coin languished in a lowland drainage for centuries before coming to light, If anything, it’s quite a romantic thing.”
Indeed, the coin’s journey from obscurity to the auction spotlight adds another layer of intrigue to its already fascinating history. Its resilience, surviving centuries hidden away, serves as a testament to the enduring allure of historical artifacts and the tales they tell.
As the auction date draws near, anticipation mounts among collectors and history enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of this extraordinary relic and, perhaps, to claim it as their own piece of the past.