Amateur treasure hunter finds $2.5M gold headpiece from Henry VIII’s lost crown

New York Post ^ | January 30, 2021 | Paula Froelich

[Diana in Wisconsin]

An amateur treasure hunter struck gold — literally.

Kevin Duckett was hunting for treasure with his metal detector in a field near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire, England, when he unearthed a solid gold figurine that experts believe is part of a long-lost part of the crown of Henry VIII.

“At first I wondered if it was a crumpled foil dish from a 1970s Mr. Kipling product, or even a gold milk bottle top,” Duckett told the Sun.

“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.”

Duckett had found a 2½-inch, solid gold and enamel figure that has been lost for over 400 years.

In 1649, Oliver Cromwell abolished the monarchy, beheaded King Charles I and ordered the crown, once worn by Henry VIII, to be melted down, minted and sold as coins — orders that weren’t followed.

According to the Sun, the crown’s 344 precious stones were sold separately while other parts of the crown were passed on intact — never to be seen again.

*SNIP*

The piece is now being held at the British Museum.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thank you! I’m always up for any comedy from the Brits - though I can live without Benny Hill.

It must be that guy/gal ‘Three Stooges’ sort of thing. ;)

[21twelve]

“Article didn’t say if he got any deniro for it.”

In Great Britain the law is that if it is of historical value (like this) the museum has to pay a fair price for the item (auction value??). If it does not have historical value (like a bunch of pots full of Roman coins) the person can keep it. And probably need to share with the property owner with whom hopefully they had an agreement to hunt on their land. Not sure about public land. Then I think the detectorist gets to keep it all?

Anyway - it is a way to promote treasure hunting to uncover these historical artifacts.