In a remarkable turn of fortune, Paul Coleman, a 59-year-old metal detector enthusiast, went from financial struggles to newfound wealth after stumbling upon a treasure trove of more than 5,000 Anglo-Saxon silver coins worth a staggering £1.3 million. The discovery, made just before Christmas, is being hailed as one of the largest finds in British history.
Bags of cash: Vast haul Paul found
Facing financial difficulties and unable to afford the petrol for a metal-detecting expedition, Coleman almost chose to stay at home. However, he rallied friends and family to share the costs, leading to a decision that would change his life forever.
On December 21, at a dig organized by the Weekend Wanderers Detecting Club near Aylesbury, Bucks, Coleman uncovered a lead box buried two feet underground. What he initially thought was a piece of lead turned into a jaw-dropping find as he uncovered row upon row of Anglo-Saxon silver coins, believed to date back to the reigns of Ethelred the Unready (978-1016) and King Canute (1016-1035).
Silver lining: Some of the 5,251 Anglo-Saxon coins Paul discovered
The estimated value of the coins, each in remarkable condition, is at least £250, making the total worth of the hoard over £1.3 million. This newfound fortune will not only alleviate Coleman’s financial burdens but will also allow him to fulfill his promise of purchasing a new house for his wife, Christine.
Valuable: Coins could fetch at least £250 each
Sharing the joy, Coleman expressed his gratitude for convincing his friend and son to join the expedition, stating, “I managed to persuade a friend and my son to come and share the costs. I found a piece of lead and thought it was junk. But then I looked back in the hole and saw one shiny coin. Then I lifted a larger piece of lead and saw row upon row of coins stacked neatly.”
The significance of the discovery is not lost on Coleman, who plans to share a portion of the money with his mates who joined him on the dig. He emphasized that his passion for metal detecting has never been driven by financial gain but rather by the love for the hobby.
Following the discovery, Coleman will split the proceeds with the landowner, a common practice among metal detector enthusiasts. The coins have been sent to the British Museum for identification, and a coroner’s ruling is awaited to officially declare the find as treasure.
Experts speculate that the hoard, potentially buried after the Battle of Hastings to safeguard it from Norman invaders, may rewrite British history. Pete Welch, who organized the dig, stated, “Early indications are that the hoard may be linked to the Norman invasion in 1066. We think a quick decision was made to hide the coins as William the Conqueror’s army approached the Royal Mint in Buckingham.”
Comparing the discovery to the renowned Staffordshire Hoard of 2009, Welch believes this find ranks among the top in British history. Anglo-Saxon coin hoards are rare, making this discovery even more exceptional.
Paul with wife Christine
As the story unfolds, the nation eagerly awaits the coroner’s ruling, and historians are hopeful that the coins will shed light on a pivotal period in British history, making Paul Coleman’s remarkable find not only a personal triumph but a historical treasure for the ages