Grandmother discovers medieval gold cross while metal detecting
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 23:49 · Archive
A 58-year-old grandmother discovered a medieval gold cross worth tens of thousands of dollars while metal detecting in Kent.
Shelley Couzins, a 58-year-old metal detecting hobbyist, found a medieval gold cross buried roughly 12 inches beneath freshly plowed soil in a farmer's field on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent in August. After five hours of searching without success, her metal detector suddenly beeped around lunchtime, prompting her to excavate the discovery. Couzins initially dismissed the cross as costume jewelry until fellow hobbyists in her group, Medway History Finders, confirmed it was made of real gold.
The cross weighs 10.6 grams and has been identified as a medieval gold reliquary cross. According to the New York Post, it could be worth upwards of $27,000. The artifact depicts Jesus' crucifixion on one side and the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus on the other.
Couzins was required to report the cross to a Finds Liaison Officer under England's treasure reporting process. She expressed disappointment about surrendering the artifact, telling Southwest News Service: 'I like to keep everything I find. I know I will probably never see it again.' The group withheld the field's exact location to prevent illegal treasure hunting.
How it is being reported
- Metal-detecting grandma stumbles upon medieval artifact made of real goldMetal detectorist Shelley Couzins unearthed a medieval gold cross in Kent, England, that could be worth upwards of $27,000.New York Post · 14 Nov, 23:31
- Grandmother mistakes medieval gold cross for costume jewelry before learning its five-figure valueA United Kingdom grandmother nearly tossed the medieval gold reliquary cross aside as costume jewelry before fellow hobbyists confirmed it was real gold.Fox News · 14 Nov, 15:00
In this story: Shelley Couzins · Medway History Finders · Isle of Sheppey · Kent · England
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