It Took Him 20 Years, but This Gold Find Was Worth Every Second!

After two decades of persistent searching, Paul Capewell, a dedicated metal detectorist, has finally uncovered a treasure that could change his life. In a field he had frequented for 20 years, Paul discovered an ancient Roman coin that could fetch up to £6,000 (nearly $8,000) at auction. This rare find, a silver denarius dating back to 107 AD, is a remarkable reward for years of patient scanning and digging.

Paul, a 59-year-old from Selston, Notts., had been wrapping up another day of metal detecting on land in Little Grandsen, Cambridgeshire. As he made his way back to his car, a familiar beep from his metal detector grabbed his attention. With practiced hands, Paul unearthed what appeared to be just another coin. Little did he know, this small piece of metal would soon be recognized as a significant historical artifact.

At first, Paul didn’t grasp the value of his find. He simply snapped a few photos of the coin and shared them with a local dealer, hoping for some insight. To his surprise, the coin dealer identified the silver denarius as something far more valuable than Paul could have imagined. “I did not realize just how rare the coin was until I showed photographs to a coin dealer,” Paul admitted. “It has now been recorded with the portable Antiquities Scheme.”

The coin, a denarius issued by Roman Emperor Trajan, has deep historical significance. Trajan ordered these coins to be minted after recalling worn-out Republican coins from circulation, which dated back over 300 years. The design of the denarius itself is striking, featuring the Roman goddess Juno Moneta, the goddess of money, on one side, and tools for coin making, such as pincers, hammers, and dies, on the reverse.

Paul’s find is particularly unique. According to auctioneers at Noonans, only two examples of this specific type of denarius have been recorded for sale in the last 25 years. With this rarity in mind, the coin is expected to bring in between £5,000 and £6,000 when it goes under the hammer at a Mayfair auction on October 22.

For Paul, the discovery couldn’t have come at a better time. He plans to split the proceeds from the auction with the landowner where the coin was found. His share of the money will either go toward purchasing a new, more advanced metal detector or funding a much-needed surgery following a heart attack. “I have been visiting the same field for more than 20 years and have discovered a few Roman and Medieval coins,” Paul said. “But this is my most exciting find so far!”

Nigel Mills, a Coins and Artefacts Specialist at Noonans, expressed the significance of Paul’s discovery. “The coin was issued by the Emperor Trajan in AD 107 after he had recalled all the worn Republican coins from circulation. Only two examples of this specific type have been recorded for sale in the last 25 years.” Mills also added that this particular coin recalls historical moments from the Roman Empire, including designs originally used by moneyer Titus Carisius in 46 BC. Carisius, a notable ally of Julius Caesar, first minted coins with the same Juno Moneta imagery.

The upcoming auction will be an exciting moment for Paul and a chance to see the fruits of his lifelong hobby pay off in an unexpected and extraordinary way.