A grandmother from Kent has been left stunned after discovering a medieval gold reliquary cross worth an estimated £20,000 while metal detecting in a farmer's field.
Shelley Couzins, 58, from Lordswood, Kent, made the find in August while out with a team in the Isle of Sheppey. After five hours of searching and finding only rubbish, her metal detector began beeping around lunchtime. Digging into the freshly ploughed field, she uncovered the gold cross buried 30cm below the surface.
Rare medieval artefact unearthed
Shelley initially thought the cross was costume jewellery, but people in the main tent confirmed it was real gold. The 10.6g cross has been identified as a medieval gold reliquary cross with a depiction of Jesus' crucifixion on one side and Mary with the baby Jesus on the other. It features a pin that can be pulled out to open the cross, typically revealing a spiritual object inside. Shelley chose not to open it for fear of damaging the artefact. A pearl sits at the bottom, with Shelley believing there would normally be three.
Speaking to SWNS, Shelley said: "It was quite quiet all morning and then I heard this beep. I had only found rubbish. I thought it was costume jewellery because I didn't think I would ever find something like that. It is like a metal detectorist's dream. You only find something like this once in a lifetime."
Treasure classification and next steps
The cross was classified as treasure and had to be handed in to a Finds Liaison Officer. Shelley recalled: "Everyone was excited and they all wanted to have a look at it. I was really excited but at the same time a little bit underwhelmed because I knew that I would have to hand it in. I was absolutely gutted because I like to keep everything I find. I know I will probably never see it again."
The British Museum is now assessing the item and will inform Shelley whether they are interested in acquiring it. If they choose to keep it, a value will be placed on it and the money will be split equally between Shelley and the landowner. According to online experts, the gold cross has a minimum estimated value of £20,000, with the figure potentially increasing significantly based on its historical significance.
Historical connections and future hopes
Shelley, a grandmother of five, began metal detecting four years ago as a hobby with friends and now does it several times a year. She has previously found a third of a Guinea gold coin from 1822 and a medieval silver bead ring, both of which were handed in. She hopes the cross might be connected to Henry VIII and the Boleyn family due to the Isle of Sheppey's historical ties to them.
Shelley said: "It is unusual to find one complete like that as well. With the ploughing they normally get broken up. It was amazing actually. I really love that I saved it. If that plough had gone over again it might have picked that up and broken it in two. It could be worth thousands. I am happy for it to go to a good home where it needs to go instead of sitting in my cupboard."
Due to fears of illegal night hunters, Shelley and the Medway History Finders group have not revealed the exact location of the field where the search took place.
