A metal detectorist has found the £2 million centerpiece jewel of Henry VIII’s lost crown buried under a tree.
49-year-old Kevin Duckett dug up the solid gold figurine in a field in Northamptonshire 400 years after it went missing.
Sharing the moment he found the two-and-a-half inch historic piece, he told The Sun: “At first I wondered if it was a crumpled foil dish from a 1970s Mr Kipling product, or even a gold milk bottle top.
“I’d been there about 20 minutes and found nothing. Then I got a very loud positive signal from my detector and started to dig down before spotting something.
“It was lodged in the side of a hole just a few inches down. I carefully removed it and knew by its colour and weight that it was solid gold.”
He continued: “I brushed off the soil and sat down in amazement. The rush of adrenaline and the buzz of excitement started to flow through my body.
“I was holding what appeared to be a heavy solid gold and enamelled figurine.”
Mr. Duckett took the piece home and discovered ‘SH’ (Saint Henry) inscribed at the bottom. He then took the figurine to the Historic Royal Palaces to verify his discovery.
“I’ll never forget the sheer excitement as I got closer to the Grand Hall where the replica sat in all its glory,” the metal detectorist of 20 years expressed.
“I entered the room and my figurine’s identical twin was staring right at me.
“I’m very proud to have rediscovered it for the world to enjoy and study. Henry VIII is one of Britain’s most iconic kings.”
The piece is now being kept at the British Museum. Once verified, he can sell it to them for a huge price set by an independent board.
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Replaced!