A stunned mother and daughter have found more than 1,000 coins – some dating back centuries – hidden all over their house.
And now the secret collection, which includes a William III crown dating back to 1696, could fetch in excess of £17,500 at auction in May – much to the sellers’ amazement.
They called in Amanda West-Butler, director of operations at Bedfordshire auction firm Hanson Ross, to assess the giant collection, and she could hardly believe her eyes.
She said: “It was an amazing discovery for me, too, because Hanson Ross has only just launched. It was my first routine home first and first major find. What a way to start! When I went to meet the family I couldn’t believe how many coins they’d uncovered – and more coins keep turning up. It’s a find that keeps on giving.
“The coins belonged to a Luton businessman who sadly passed away last autumn. He was an avid collector and auction goer. His wife and daughter knew he liked to buy coins and had quite a lot but they had no idea just how many he’d secretly tucked away.
“Most of the coins were found in shoe boxes at the bottom of a wardrobe in the family home in Luton, but that was just the start. It was like an unexpected treasure hunt. Coins cropped up all over the place. The family kept calling me to tell me they’d found more.
“A collector’s passion can never be under estimated, I suppose. This gentleman took great pleasure in sourcing and buying historical coins. Perhaps he didn’t want to let on just how many he had but now he’s left a valuable gift for his family.
“The collection is being sold as his widow is working hard to de-clutter the house. She is keeping a few coins for sentimental reasons. For example, some have been made into jewellery. However, she wants the others to go to people who will enjoy them as much as her husband did.”
The seller said: “I found most of the coins a couple of months ago but more turned up over the course of the next few weeks. I kept finding more every time I cleared another part of the house. They were in drawers and cupboards or wrapped up among other things. Most were in a wardrobe but I found a lot more locked away in my husband’s old office desk.
“I had no idea he had so many and, to be honest, I think he’d forgotten about some of them. He started collecting in the mid-1970s and his hobby carried on for more than 40 years. It was just something he liked to do.”
The giant coin collection is being assessed by Hansons’ coins expert William Hayward. The historical treasures include a gold Edward VII 1902 £2 coin, £500 to £700; a William IV 1834 half-crown, £80 to £120; a George III 1819 crown, £120 to £160, and George V 1931 Wreath Crown £100 £160.
The collection will be offered in the May 12 Hanson Ross Coin Auction. Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk and www.the-saleroom.com. All enquiries: [email protected]
Woburn auction services
Hanson Ross offers valuations, home visits and auction services across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Free valuation/consignment events are held every Wednesday, 10am-1pm, at The Woburn, 1 George St, MK17 9PX. To find out more, visit www.hansonross.com or call 01525 455 125.
