05-02-2012, 02:47 PM
A metal detector enthusiast who found a 2.5cm gold brooch in a farmer's field is celebrating after it was identified as a medieval piece of jewelery worth £25,00.($60,000)
Shaped like a heart - and with two hands clasped together in decorative sleeves at its base - this piece of jewelery may be tiny but it was to prove an enormous find for one lucky metal detector enthusiast.
Stan Cooper, 60, unearthed the 2.5cm gold brooch beneath the soil in a farmer's field near Sandbach, Cheshire - and was initially unaware of its true provenance.
But the item - no bigger than a pound coin - has now been dated to between 1350 and 1450 WOW! and is thought to have originally been a betrothal gift because the hands appear to be male and female.
The brooch was reported to the authorities and then sent to the British Museum for experts to examine.
And because the Crown disclaimed it, there was no need for a treasure trove inquest and it is free to be sold.
pretty...reminds me of a Claddagh![[Image: images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRyZcrqoeUbxyBjdiEx17S...y7b9KCWUPQ]](https://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRyZcrqoeUbxyBjdiEx17SjQWevDfFLwjvi18iz7Vlmy7b9KCWUPQ)
![[Image: article-2138354-12E17221000005DC-326_636x621.jpg]](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/05/02/article-2138354-12E17221000005DC-326_636x621.jpg)
Shaped like a heart - and with two hands clasped together in decorative sleeves at its base - this piece of jewelery may be tiny but it was to prove an enormous find for one lucky metal detector enthusiast.
Stan Cooper, 60, unearthed the 2.5cm gold brooch beneath the soil in a farmer's field near Sandbach, Cheshire - and was initially unaware of its true provenance.
But the item - no bigger than a pound coin - has now been dated to between 1350 and 1450 WOW! and is thought to have originally been a betrothal gift because the hands appear to be male and female.
The brooch was reported to the authorities and then sent to the British Museum for experts to examine.
And because the Crown disclaimed it, there was no need for a treasure trove inquest and it is free to be sold.
pretty...reminds me of a Claddagh