UK couple discovers over 1000 17th-century coins while renovating kitchen – Times of India

NEW DELHI: A UK couple discovered a surprising treasure hidden beneath the floor of over 1,000 17th-century coins while renovating their kitchen, The Guardian reported.
Betty and Robert Fooks, hailing from Dorset, unearthed ancient coins from the kitchen’s concrete floor while excavating to increase ceiling height. The couple found the coins ranging from James I and Charles I gold coins to silver half crowns, shillings, and sixpences from various reigns, including Elizabeth I and Philip and Mary.
Upon finding the coins, the Fooks promptly reported their discovery to local authorities, who forwarded the artifacts to the British Museum for cleaning and identification.Now, the coins are set to go under the hammer at Duke’s auctioneers in Dorchester, Dorset, with an anticipated value of approximately £35,000.
Betty Fooks, an NHS health visitor, recounted the unexpected find, noting that their decision to lower the ground floor during renovations revealed the hidden treasure. She speculated that the original owner likely intended to retrieve the coins but never had the opportunity, reported The Guardian.
“It is a 400-year-old house so there was lots of work to do. We were taking all the floors and ceilings out and took it back to its stone walls. We decided to lower the ground floor to give us more ceiling height… One evening, I was with the children and my husband was digging with a pick axe when he called to say they’ve found something. He put all the coins in a bucket. If we hadn’t lowered the floor, they would still be hidden there. I presume the person intended to retrieve them but never got the chance,” Betty added.
Julian Smith, specialist at Duke’s auctioneers said that the cottage which was bought by Fooks couple is situated in a small hamlet in west Dorset, and is a 17th century long-house.