Shocked detectorist makes £13k at treasure auction

A detectorist who has been uncovering hidden artefacts for 20 years was stunned after she made £13,115 selling her treasures in an auction.

Nettie Edmonson's collection included a 4th Century gold Roman coin, which went for £2,000 when it was sold with her other items at Hanson Ross's auction at The Woburn Hotel in Bedfordshire.

When speaking shortly after the final item sold, Edmonson, from Wilden, said she was "shocked and pleased" by the results.

"I've never thought of the value of them, I found them and I loved them," she said.

"I genuinely haven't thought they might be worth some money."

Other top sellers included a 2nd Century gold Roman ring which went for £1,800 and an inscribed posy ring that could date back to the Elizabethan era which was sold for £1,500.

One unexpected success was a collection of silver coins from the Tudor and Stuart periods which sold for £1,250, about £1,000 more than estimated.

When combined with previous private sales and other auctions from the last year, Edmonson estimates her hobby has now earned her between £30,000 and £35,000.

Edmonson said: "I'm shocked, I need a cup of tea.

"They seem to have gone to people that really wanted them and that was the main thing."

The detectorist planned to get back to the fields and hoped to return next year with "another load" to auction.

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