A man in Scotland stumbled upon an incredible find in his backyard—an ancient gold coin believed to be 700-years-old.
Craig Smith, 34, was repairing a fence at his home in Linlithgow, West Lothian, when he spotted the rare coin buried in the soil. The surprising discovery left him in shock. He immediately shared the news with his wife, Emma.
Smith, a father of two and SCOTS council engineer, had no idea he had uncovered such a valuable piece of history. Experts later confirmed the coin is centuries old and one of only three ever found in Scotland.
The historic artifact has been handed over to Treasure Trove Scotland, an organization that collects important items found by the public.
Coin identified as William I of Guelders Gulden
Experts identified the coin as a William I of Guelders gulden, dating back to the year 1379. William was a prominent European nobleman whose rule was marked by military ambition and significant alliances.
Known for his active military campaigns, William participated in the Prussian Crusade five times and frequently engaged in battles with neighboring regions, including France and Brabant.
Speaking to The Scottish Sun, Smith expressed his amazement. “I really couldn’t quite believe it,” he said. “I quickly ran in and told my wife what I had found.”
At first, his wife was skeptical. “She is always on my case about the things I’m finding but when we realised what it was she was quite excited too.”
“We had found a little piece of history.”
Early evaluations suggest the coin, dating back to the 14th century, could be worth around £1,500. Although the coin shows some signs of wear due to its age, its rarity makes it highly valuable, especially to collectors.
Valuation of the rare gold coin
Smith, an amateur metal detector enthusiast, shared his excitement about the discovery. He mentioned that while he often engages in metal detecting as a hobby, he has never uncovered anything as extraordinary as this coin.
In the past, he has found items like silver coins and musket balls, but most of his finds are mundane objects like old tin cans. This 14th-century Dutch coin stands out as the most significant and valuable treasure he has ever come across.
The coin is now with the Treasure Trove Unit, where its historical and monetary value is being assessed. If it is deemed significant, it will be forwarded to the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel. This panel will determine its exact value.
Once the evaluation is complete, museums across Scotland will have the opportunity to purchase the artifact. Any payment for the coin will then be awarded to its finder, Craig Smith.
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