Grandmother strikes gold after finding £20,000 medieval cross while out metal detecting

A grandmother has struck gold, quite literally, after discovering a medieval cross potentially worth more than £20,000 while metal detecting in a farmer’s field.

Shelley Couzins, aged 58, was searching a freshly ploughed field on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, with a group of fellow enthusiasts when she made the incredible discovery.

After five hours of finding nothing but what she described as “rubbish”, Shelley was beginning to lose hope. But then her metal detector suddenly started beeping, prompting her to dig beneath the surface.

Around 30cm underground, she uncovered a gold cross believed to date back to medieval times, with its potential value estimated to be at least £20,000.

Shelley, from Lordswood, Kent, said: “It was quite quiet all morning and then I heard this beep. I had only found rubbish. I thought it was costume jewellery because I didn’t think I would ever find something like that. It is like a metal detectorist's dream. You only find something like this once in a lifetime.”

At the time, Shelley was out with Medway History Finders, a group of metal-detecting enthusiasts. The exact location of the field is being kept secret amid fears that revealing it could attract illegal night hunters.

Initially, Shelley assumed the cross was fake. It was only when she returned to the group's main tent for a cup of tea that fellow detectorists confirmed it was real gold. Weighing 10.6g, the discovery was subsequently classified as treasure and had to be reported to a Finds Liaison Officer.

Shelley said: “Everyone was excited and they all wanted to have a look at it. I was really excited but at the same time a little bit underwhelmed because I knew that I would have to hand it in. I was absolutely gutted because I like to keep everything I find. I know I will probably never see it again.”

The remarkable artefact has been identified as a medieval gold reliquary cross, featuring a depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus on one side and the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus on the other. It also has a removable pin that allows the cross to open, a feature commonly associated with reliquaries designed to hold a sacred or spiritual object inside. The cross also features a pearl at its base, although Shelley believes it would originally have had three.

The discovery is now with the British Museum, which is assessing the artefact before deciding whether it wishes to acquire it. If the museum expresses an interest, a valuation will be arranged, with any payment shared equally between Shelley and the landowner.

Although its final value remains unknown, estimates circulating online suggest it could be worth at least £20,000, with its historical significance potentially increasing its price considerably.

Shelley said: “It is unusual to find one complete like that as well. With the ploughing they normally get broken up. It was amazing actually. I really love that I saved it. If that plough had gone over again it might have picked that up and broken it in two. It could be worth thousands. I am happy for it to go to a good home where it needs to go instead of sitting in my cupboard.”

A grandmother of five, Shelley took up metal detecting four years ago with friends and now goes out on searches several times a year. Her previous discoveries include a third of a gold guinea coin dating from 1822 and a medieval silver bead ring. Both were handed in, but neither has come close to matching the significance of her latest find.

The gold cross is undoubtedly her biggest discovery to date, and Shelley is hopeful it could have a connection to some of the area's most notable historical figures.

The Isle of Sheppey has links to Henry VIII and the Boleyn family, adding another layer of intrigue to the find. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest the cross belonged to either the Tudor king or Anne Boleyn.

Shelley added: “If it is historical I will be really pleased with that. There are links here to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. We can’t say it belonged to them but that history makes this find more interesting because there could be a possibility that it is linked.”