49-year-old British mechanic Kevin Duckett enjoys treasure hunting in his spare time. Some time ago, he went on yet another excursion with a metal detector and on this occasion, he visited in a field near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire. After just 20 minutes of searching, the man came across something metallic. At first he thought it was a milk cap, but after digging up the find, he realised that he had found something valuable.

The object discovered by chance was a small figurine of a king, made of gold and enamel. According to the established Treasure Act, any metal object (other than a coin), provided that at least 10% by weight of the metal is a precious metal and that it is at least 300 years old, must be submitted for examination within 14 days, and therefore Duckett applied to the district coroner and gave him the recently found golden figurine.

After conducting his own investigation, the Briton realised that the artifact found is most likely a fragment of the 16th century Tudor crown. As we know, this crown once adorned the head of Henry VIII, and the last king of England to wear it was Charles I. After his execution in 1649, the crown was melted down into coins, and diamonds and other precious stones were sold. That is why historians were sure that this relic was lost forever and remained in memory only in paintings. But it looks like part of the crown still survived. According to preliminary studies, the found golden figurine was one of the decorations of that very crown and, possibly, during its melting, someone stole it and hid it in a “safe place”, where, almost 400 years later, Duckett found it.

Experts still have to complete the examination. But, if the origin of the golden king is confirmed, then the value of the find could be about three million dollars.

It is reported that the artifact has already attracted the interest of the British Museum and even made Duckett the first purchase offer. Historians believe that such an incredible find should be in the main museum of the country, and not in a private collection writes Daily Mail. Source