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Metal detectorist makes unique discovery: gold nugget shaped like Great Britain is found and amazes experts
In what he called “discovery of a lifetime”, Jonathan Needham, a 54-year-old gold detectorist, found a unique gold nugget, shaped like a map of Great Britain.
This extraordinary find was made in border between Staffordshire and Derbyshire, and it is believed that the gold may have been naturally formed in the underground.
A nugget measures approximately 3 cm long and over 1 cm wide, weighing about 10,3 grams.
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Jonathan, a retired tree-cutter turned treasure hunter, revealed that the discovery happened on November 1. He described the moment as “the holy grail“, and stated that it is, without a doubt, the most interesting discovery he has ever made.
Now, Jonathan is in the process of confirming the origin of the piece, investigating whether it is a natural formation or a cast piece.
The value of the gold nugget
It is initially estimated that the nugget could be worth around £800 if it were considered scrap metal, but if the piece is proven to be evidence of historical gold mining in the Midlands, the value could be much higher.
The context of discovery
Enthusiasm for the story Jonathan Needham explained the surprise to find the nugget, saying: “I really couldn't believe it. I had found gold before, but I didn't expect to find a nugget this big."
“When you’re in England and you find a gold nugget, it’s quite an extraordinary thing. When I dug it up, I realised it was gold and I knew it was gold – I initially thought it might be a jewel.”
After beginning to clean the item, Jonathan noticed a striking similarity to the map of Great Britain. “It's rare to find a gold piece that reminds you of England. It's pure madness.“, he commented.
Confirmation and next steps
It is not yet known for sure whether the nugget was naturally formed or whether it is a discarded melted product. To find out, experts will analyze the piece. If it is natural gold, the value of the nugget could be much higher than that of a regular gold piece.
Jonathan is hopeful that it is a natural nugget and plans to return to the area where he made the discovery to try to find more items.
History of discoveries
This wasn’t Jonathan’s first extraordinary discovery. Last year, he found a Bronze Age artist’s 3.000-year-old dress or cloak clasp, which he described as a “one in a billion” find.
In addition to being a treasure hunter, Jonathan runs a YouTube channel, The Detector-hist, where he shares his adventures and discoveries.
The UK Treasure Trove Legal Process
Under the UK's Treasure Act 1996, any discovery of treasure must be reported to the local coroner within 14 days.
The British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme assists finders by providing guidance on legal obligations and writing reports for the declaration of treasures.
This law aims to make it easier for museums to acquire finds of cultural value, with a reward typically split between the discoverer and the owner of the land where the item was found.
The value of the rewards is calculated based on the market value of the discoveries, determined by an independent panel of experts, the “Treasure Valuation Committee”.
What is considered treasure
Currently, for an item to be considered treasure, it must meet certain criteria, such as:
- Two or more coins at least 300 years old, containing a minimum proportion of 10% gold or silver.
- Prehistoric metal objects commonly found together.
- Non-financial artifacts over 300 years old and containing at least 10% gold or silver.
- Objects located in the same location as another item considered treasure.
However, changes are planned for the future, with a new definition under development that takes into account the cultural and historical significance of finds, not just their material quality.
Jonathan Needham’s discovery is not only an extraordinary event, but also highlights the complexity and cultural and historical value of archaeological finds in the UK.
