Gold coins found in pillowcases and sock raise £118k at auction
The haul spanned from Queen Victoria’s reign to the 21st century.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hundreds of coins that were discovered in pillowcases and a sock during a routine house clearance have sold for more than £100,000.
Hansons Auctioneers were carrying out the clearance at a house in Leicestershire when they found 331 gold coins while searching a linen chest.
The coins ranged from the 1800s to the 21st century, featuring monarchs such as Queen Victoria, King George V and Queen Elizabeth II.
The collection went under the hammer at Hertfordshire auction house Hanson Ross on January 17, with each coin valued between £300 and £500.
Every single coin was sold for a combined £90,768, with a buyer’s premium taking the total to £118,000.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “It was an amazing find, made after a client instructed us to clear a house.
“Our team are renowned for being thorough. They check over every inch of a house. It’s not just about fine or fragile objects on display, it’s the hidden items that are often the most valuable.
“These are found in drawers, wardrobes, cupboards, bags and, in this case, even an old sock. People have a multitude of hiding places. Sometimes it’s a case of hide and seek. In this case, workers were checking through the attic and linen in a bedroom chest when the coins were discovered.
“You can imagine their amazement. First, they saw the golden glint of one gold coin, then handfuls emerged. Some were hidden in a pillowcase and many others were tucked away in a sock. Our client was flabbergasted and delighted in equal measure. They had no idea the house contained a treasure trove of gold.”
Mr Hanson said that the coins were “in hot demand” sparking a “white glove sale” where every single lot sells.
He added: “It was like a walk through 300 years of history. The collection captured the passage of time due to different monarchs represented on the sovereigns.
“They also reminded us of the length of their reigns. Due to long periods on the throne, Victoria and Elizabeth’s coin profiles alter through the decades.”