Fortune can come when you least expect it and, sometimes, a simple hobby can end up changing your life completely. That is precisely what happened to Phil and Joan Castle, a retired British couple who, while enjoying their passion for metal detecting in a field in Romney Marsh, Kent, They found a small hoard of 14th century gold coins worth £50,600 (about 60,578 euros). Among the mud and the signs of their detectors, they unearthed five perfectly preserved Noble coins, pieces with extraordinary historical and economic value dating back to the reign of Edward III.
According to the media DevonliveJoan Castle described the experience as “unreal” and confessed that, at first, he thought that the coins would not be authentic. “I saw something shiny and thought it was a worthless metal fragment. But then another coin appeared, and then another. We couldn’t believe it”Joan said. “It was like being in a movie“added her husband Phil, who was accompanying his wife at the time.
After the discovery, the Castles contacted the competent authorities, and the discovery was recorded by the local person in charge of the Kent archaeological finds department, in charge of documenting and verifying these types of discoveries. After evaluating it, the experts confirmed that they were gold Noble coins from the reign of Edward III, issued between 1351 and 1361. Nigel Mills, coin advisor at Noonans auction house, noted the rarity of finding medieval gold coins in such good condition of conservation, due to the high value they had at the time and how infrequent it was to lose them or bury them without recovering them.
A treasure of great historical and economic value
According to experts, Noble coins are special in British numismatic history. They were the first successful issue of gold coins in England, after several failed attempts. These pieces depict King Edward III on a ship, a symbol of naval power, while holding a sword and shield. The coins were not only the highest denomination at the time, but also showed the ambition and prosperity of the monarch during his reign.
Nigel Mills details that, in current terms, the nominal value of six shillings and eight pence would be equivalent to £2,500 (about 3,000 euros). Despite this and to the good luck of this retired couple, its impeccable condition and historical interest increased its value at auction. “The result of the sale was surprising, reaching £50,600 in total, a figure that tripled the initial estimates”said Mills (about 60,578 euros).
The coins and brass bar that formed part of an ancient medieval bag were notified under the regulations of the British Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). As established by United Kingdom regulations, any discovery of historical value must be declared to the authorities, who are responsible for its registration and authentication. In this case, the coins were cataloged and recognized as a historical treasure.
Gold worth 60,000 euros
Phil and Joan Castle have been passionate about metal detecting for more than 30 years and they never expected to find such a stroke of luck. Apparently the auction, which attracted buyers from the United Kingdom and the United States, was almost as exciting for them as the discovery itself. Although part of the profits will be shared with the owner of the land, Joan Castle announced that they will use their part to renovate the kitchen, thus fulfilling a small personal dream.
“Finding medieval gold coins like these is extremely rare.”Mills explained. “This discovery not only has an impressive economic value, but also contributes a key piece to the country’s historical legacy.”, he concluded.