Grandmother mistakes medieval gold cross for costume jewelry before learning its five-figure value
A grandmother recently discovered a medieval gold cross while metal detecting in a farmer's field — and it could be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Key points
- CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Couzins said she hopes the cross might have a connection to the royal couple, though no evidence has emerged linking the artifact to either figure.
- "If that plough had gone over again, it might have picked that up and broken it in two." Despite her disappointment at having to give up the cross, Couzins said she hopes it will be preserved.
- It wasn't until she returned to the group's main tent that fellow hobbyists told her the cross was made of real gold.
The artifact was identified as a medieval gold reliquary cross, depicting Jesus' crucifixion on one side and the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus on the other, according to SWNS.
She soon unearthed a gold cross — but initially dismissed it as costume jewelry.
Additional details
- A few months later, in Germany, archaeologists reported the discovery of another Christian cross among more than 200 Viking-era artifacts dating back roughly 1,000 years.
- MYSTERY DEEPENS AFTER 2,700-YEAR-OLD BRONZE SWORD EMERGES STANDING UPRIGHT The grandmother said she was "absolutely gutted" about having to surrender the artifact.
- Online estimates have placed the cross's potential value at a minimum of £20,000 (roughly $27,000), though no official valuation has been announced, said SWNS.
- If acquired through the treasure process, the cross would be valued, with any resulting reward expected to be split between Couzins and the landowner.
- TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The discovery follows other finds of early medieval Christian artifacts across Europe in recent years.
How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →
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