In an unexpected turn of fortune, a British amateur treasure enthusiast, Paul Coleman, unearthed a remarkable hoard of Anglo Saxon coins valued at a staggering £1 million.

This incredible discovery nearly eluded him, as he initially hesitated due to a petrol shortage, persuading his son and a friend to join him on the excavation near Lenborough, Buckinghamshire. Little did he know that this decision would lead to the jackpot of a lifetime.

The excavation took place just before Christmas on farmland, and the coins, numbering over 5,000, were found in pristine condition. Minted during the reigns of Ethelred the Unready (978-1016) and Cnut (1016-1035), the coins are believed to be linked to a mint established by Ethelred at nearby Buckingham, which continued its operations during Cnut’s time.

The coins, encased in a lead-lined container, were buried two feet underground. Despite only a portion being properly cleaned, all exhibited excellent preservation. This significant discovery unfolded during the Weekend Wanderers Detecting Club’s annual end-of-year Christmas rally, turning a routine event into a historic moment.

Paul Coleman, a grandfather-of-four, expressed his disbelief at the find, noting that he usually uncovers mundane items during his metal-detecting pursuits. This time, however, his metal detector signaled a unique find, leading him to a trove of silver coins. The coins, dating back to the Saxon era, were carefully buried in a lead bucket, protected from the elements.

This serendipitous discovery has the potential to rewrite history, shedding light on the lives of those who once handled these coins. Paul Coleman, having been a metal detector enthusiast for four decades, described the find as incomprehensible and acknowledged its significant impact on his life, making bills easier to pay and elevating living standards.

The coins’ historical value is immense, and experts from the British Museum are analyzing the collection to glean insights into this extraordinary period of history.

The find spans the era during which the Vikings gained control of England, adding a layer of complexity to its historical significance. Professor Simon Keynes of Cambridge University commented on the unique composition of the hoard, raising questions about its origin and purpose.

While only a portion of the coins has been cleaned, estimates suggest that the hoard could be worth around £1 million.

Paul Coleman, true to the camaraderie of the metal-detecting community, plans to share some of his fortune with fellow enthusiasts and has pledged to buy a new house for his wife. The landowner will also receive a share of the proceeds.