An amateur treasure hunter hit the gold – literally.
Kevin Duckett was searching for treasure with his metal detector in a field near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire, England, when he unearthed a solid gold figurine, which experts believe is part of a long-lost figurine of Henry’s crown. VIII.
“At first I wondered if it was a crumpled vial of a 1970s Mr. Kipling product, or even a gold milk glass top,” Duckett told Sun.
“I received a very strong positive signal from the detector and I started digging down before I noticed anything … It was deposited on the side of a hole just a few inches down.”
Duckett had found a 2.5-inch solid gold and enamel figure that had been lost for more than 400 years.
In 1649, Oliver Cromwell abolished the monarchy, beheaded King Charles I, and ordered the melting of the crown, once worn by Henry VIII, beaten and sold in the form of coins – orders that were not followed.
According to the Sun, the 344 precious stones of the crown were sold separately, while other parts of the crown were transmitted intact so that they could no longer be seen.
The crown was worn by Henry II at his coronation and during his wedding to Anne of Cleves in 1540. The hat was later used to crown his children, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, then James I and Charles I. .
Historians believe that the figurine could have come off while Charles escaped or buried it to keep it from Cromwell.
When he finds the piece, Duckett claims he knew what he had.
“I had seen the replica on YouTube and the tiny numbers on the lilies, but I couldn’t be sure,” Duckett told the newspaper.
“I went to the palace to find out. … I will never forget the enthusiasm as I approached the Great Hall, where the reply stood in all its splendor. I entered the room and the identical twin of my figurine stared at me “.
Lucy Worsley, chief curator at the historic Royal Palaces, told the Sun: “It is wonderful news that, after centuries of underground sleep, this little golden figure has been revealed once again. It’s tempting to imagine your true story. “
The piece is now in the British Museum.