Record Stash of Ancient Gold Found In Farmer's Field

Brit with metal detector uncovers 7th-century Anglo-Saxon jackpot

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 24, 2009 2:38 AM CDT

(Newser) – The biggest stash of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver ever found has been unearthed in a farmer's field in Staffordshire, England, by an amateur treasure hunter using a metal detector. The hoard, estimated to date back to the 7th century, includes weapons, helmets, and gold coins. Archaeologists are stunned both by the size—some 1,500 pieces—and the workmanship of the treasure, which brought tears to one expert's eyes.

"I have this phrase that I say sometimes: 'Spirits of yesteryear take me where the coins appear.' But on that day I changed coins to gold," finder James Herbert told the BBC. "This is what metal detectorists dream of, finding stuff like this. But the vast amount there is just unbelievable." After the collection is valued and sold to museums, Herbert will share a reward expected to be in the millions with the landowner, a friend who gave him permission to search the field.

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British authorities are keeping the exact location of the field a secret. (Shutter Stock)

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Nothing could have prepared me for that. I saw boxes full of gold, items exhibiting the very finest Anglo-Saxon workmanship. It was breathtaking. - Antiquities officer Duncan Slarke

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

Spudsy

Sep 25, 2009 3:35 AM CDT

True, soldiers would bury their possessions near their encampments before a battle for safekeeping. And if the owner did not survive....

Fiskebolle

Sep 24, 2009 9:22 AM CDT

That's not the way it works for items of cultural and historical value, in many locales any way. Which is agreeable to me. But I wonder if sometimes priceless artefacts made out of precious metals are downright melted down and sold for more than the otherwise symbolic finders reward.

The_Pinkston

Sep 24, 2009 8:16 AM CDT

WIll be interesting to hear more about this collection(like what period in history its from).

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archeology • treasure • farmer • Britain • gold coins

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Record Stash of Ancient Gold Found In Farmer's Field