A lucky bloke found a real treasure while he was out with his metal detector in Nottinghamshire.
He hopes that the engraved medieval sapphire ring will be sold for as much as £35,000.
For pirates, metal detectorists, archeologists and others, it is a dream to find exciting treasures, and it finally became a reality for Mark Thompson.
While he was out with his metal detector, Mark’s device started beeping in a plowed field just outside Sherwood Forest.
The area is synonymous with the legendary outlaw Robin Hood. However, no one could’ve guessed that a piece of history was about to be uncovered by Mark.
When metal detector beeps, it is usually because of farm machinery shrapnel or a bottle cap. “I couldn’t believe what I was looking at when I dug the clod of soil over and saw the sapphire and a glint of gold poking out of the dirt,” Mark expressed.
In an interview with The Sun, he said: “I had been out metal detecting with a group for about 20 minutes when I heard the signal.
“I was really excited when I saw that it was gold, but I didn’t realise at that point just how significant it might be.
“I called my friend who came down to take a look and help see whether there was anything else related nearby.
“If it does prove to be as valuable as we think it might be, it would completely change my life.”
The ring is to go under the hammer at an auction house in London and it has a value of between £25,000 and £35,000.
“I got into metal detecting because I’d collected coins since being a kid, so I bought a detector to see if I could find some old coins,” Mark explained. “I was over the moon when the treasure valuation committee valued it.
“If it fetches what is expected then the money will go towards a deposit for a mortgage. The landowner will get half of what it fetches we had an agreement of a 50/50 split.”
Christies auction house’s description of the ring reads: “Rectangular cut cornered sapphire measuring 9.8 x 7.85mm, scalloped cusp setting, gold mount with engraved figures depicting Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and the Infant Christ, 15th century.”
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Replaced!