A MAN who discovered two rare medieval coins has told why the find was extra special.
Detectorist Rob Thompson, 61, admitted he was “flabbergasted” when he discovered the artefacts stacked on top of each other in 2021.
Rob found the items at Sutton Cheney in Leicestershire, close to the area where the hunchback King Richard III was killed in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth.
The “exceptional” coins have now gone under the hammer, selling for £13,500 at auction, rising to £17,000 with fees.
The fetched amount will be shared between Rob and the landowner.
The detectorist admitted finding something hidden for half a millenium was a proud accomplishment.
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“It was special to think I was the first person to hold these coins in over 500 years,” he said.
Essex Coin Auctions, which led the auction, said the coins were likely stacked and hidden immediately before the battle for safekeeping.
Auctioneer Adam Staples said: “We are really happy with the sale. It’s a high price but these are exceptional coins.
“It was just amazing to hold them in my hand.
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“I was thrilled when I heard Rob had found them, and I’m even more thrilled now.”
It comes after a rare gold coin has hit auction for £100k but there maybe a bit of an obstacle taking it to the shops.
The colossal coin made to honour Queen Elizabeth II is set to fetch the whopping price when it goes under the hammer at auction.
Elsewhere, a new festive coin celebrating The Snowman has been launched by The Royal Mint.
It is the first of the Mint’s collectable 50p coins celebrating The Snowman to feature the official coinage portrait of King Charles.
The 2023 design tells the magical story of a young boy called James who builds a snowman that comes to life.