‘Priceless’ trove of 2,000 10th century gold coins found off the coast of Israel

Scuba divers have uncovered the largest treasure trove ever discovered off Israel’s Mediterranean coast – but won’t get a penny.

The group initially thought they had found a toy coin on the ocean floor before tests confirmed the gold pieces were treasure.

Experts who eventually counted 2,000 pieces, dating back more than 1,000 years, described the discovery as ‘priceless.’ The coins are now property of the state with no finder’s fee for the divers.

Members of a diving club in the Roman-era port stumbled across the treasure, weighing nearly 20 pounds, by pure chance while on a dive.

‘The largest treasure of gold coins discovered in Israel was found in recent weeks on the seabed in the ancient harbour in Caesarea,’ said a statement by Israeli Antiquities Authority.

No finder’s fee – poor sods.

‘Priceless’ trove of 2,000 gold coins used by 10th Century Caliphate which once ruled much of the Middle East is found off the coast of Israel

Civil War soldier’s wages found in Taunton

Almost six month’s pay earned by a soldier fighting in the English Civil War will provide a windfall its finder.

The 18 silver and gold coins uncovered in a garden in Nerrols Farm, Taunton, totalled £5 5s 3¾d – 5½ months’ wages for a common soldier in the 17th Century and £450 in today’s value.

But the hoard, probably belonging to a Royalist soldier and left during the siege of Taunton in 1645, could fetch thousands of pounds when it is bought by the town’s Museum of Somerset.

Civil War soldier’s wages found in Taunton

It’s also possible that these were someone’s life savings, hidden before he went off to fight or simply for safekeeping in uncertain times.

Builder discovers 16th Century gold on Lindisfarne

Builder Richard Mason was suitably underwhelmed when he dug up a grubby looking pot during a house renovation on Lindisfarne.

The 38-year-old from Rothbury, in Northumberland, threw the pot in the back of his van and thought no more of it.

The jug was left in Mr Mason’s father’s basement for eight years and then one year before Christmas, Richard decided to clean the jug.

He tipped it up and out fell a pile of gold and silver coins.

The coins come from all over Europe and one of them was found to be a gold scudo, a coin made in Italy in the 1500s.

Builder discovers 16th Century gold on Lindisfarne

Saffron Walden Museum’s £60,000 treasure appeal gains support

The urgent appeal to raise £60,000 to enable Saffron Walden Musuem Society to keep five archaeological treasures discovered in the area has already received more than £2,500 of the Society’s £7,500 local funding target.

The thousands of pounds, which have come from generous local donors and organisations, have been donated after the Society launched a public appeal two months ago to keep the items close to where they were buried.

The finds, made by metal detector enthusiasts, were declared treasure after their discovery since 2011.

Saffron Walden Museum’s £60,000 treasure appeal gains support