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'Good luck' coins found under HMS Victory's mast

An ancient coin on a rusty surface. Royal Navy Museums

One of the coins found, identified as a one penny piece from 1892

Five coins and one token dating back to the 19th century have been found under the foremast of the HMS Victory ship.

The coins were found after the masts were removed as part of a 10-year restoration project on the ship.

It is believed that the coins were placed under the mast as part of a tradition to bring good fortune to the vessel and the crew.

Before being found, the coins have endured extreme conditions for 132 years.

What is HMS Victory?

The Royal Navy flagship 'HMS Victory' at Portsmouth in Hampshire, UK, 21st July 1964.Getty Images

HMS Victory is a famous 104-gun sailing warship which is an important vessel in the Royal Navy.

The boat is known for being the flagship of Admiral Horatio Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

HMS Victory is the world's oldest naval vessel still in commission.

She is permanently dry-docked (meaning on the land) at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in the UK.

Six coins dating back to the 19th centuries which have been discovered beneath the foremast of HMS Victory after the masts were removed in the latest stage of a 10-year £42 million restoration project.Collective Wisdom /PA Wire

Five coins and one token were discovered under the foremast

The discovery of the lucky coins is an exciting one for those working on the ships restoration.

Andrew Baines, executive director of Museum Operations at Royal Navy Museums, said "Following the earlier discovery of a single farthing beneath the main lower mast, we had hoped there might be something similar beneath the foremast."

"But to uncover six coins was an extraordinary surprise."

The coins and token, along with the earlier discovered coin, will now be put on display in the Victory Gallery at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard over the summer.