Jewelry News

Gold Treasure Breaks Records

September 25, 2009

An unemployed man using a metal detector in rural England uncovered the largest Anglo-Saxon gold hoard ever unearthed - a seven-figure finding that brought the experts to tears.

When Englishman, Terry Herbert, bought his metal detector at a flea market for six dollars, little did he know that it would help him uncover one of the world's most valuable hidden treasures.

Herbert unearthed 500 items on his friend's farm back in July before he called in experts, who then found a further 800 articles in the soil.

"Imagine you're at home and somebody keeps putting money through your letterbox, that was what it was like," Herbert said. "I was going to bed and in my sleep I was seeing gold items."

The unprecedented golden hoard includes 11 pounds of gold and 5.5 pounds of silver Anglo Saxon artifacts dating back to the 7th century. The pieces are almost all war gear most likely owned by a king or nobleman.

It's an "incredible collection of material - absolutely unprecedented," said Kevin Leahy, an archaeologist with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, a voluntary group that records finds made by members of the public. "We've moved into new ground with this material."

Because the find is so large and important, experts haven't been able to say yet how much it is worth - but the figure will most certainly be in the millions. Herbert will split the earnings with the farm owner.

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