They found 264 gold coins buried under the kitchen and sold them at auction for £754,320 (over €850,000). The North Yorkshire (United Kingdom) couple literally stepped on their luck for 10 years. He only discovered it in 2019 during the house’s renovation: a tin box full of coins was hidden under the kitchen floor.
Some of them are more than 400 years old, dating from 1610, while others are from 1727. The coins were all kept in an enameled clay cup for about three centuries. The treasure belonged to Joseph Fernley and his wife Sarah Maister, both belonging to a wealthy and influential Hull merchant family. The two traded iron ore, wood and coal.
Since its discovery, the value of this treasure has tripled, attracting buyers from all over the world, from America, Europe, Australia, China and Japan: and it has now been auctioned for £754,000.
It is “one of the largest collections of 18th-century English gold coins ever found in Britain,” said Gregory Edmund, the auctioneer at London’s Spink & Son auction.
“The sale was unique for several reasons. The history of the coins, the method of discovery and the rare opportunity to buy them at auction. All of this gave rise to a lively and energetic auction, driving the price up. Ellerby coins have found a new home. Buyers from around the world have come together to share the story of Sarah and Joseph Fernley and the privilege of owning a part of their 292-year-old treasure.”
Source: Fan Page IT
Ashley Root is an experienced business journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in economics and finance, she has a deep understanding of the inner workings of the business world and is able to provide insightful and informative analysis on a wide range of topics.
