Amateur treasure hunter Steve Bestwick could be quids in after discovering a stash of 2,000-year-old gold coins, worth at least �£3,000, in a field in Leicester.

Bestwick, who bought a metal detector after being inspired by archaeology show Time Team, unearthed ten gold coins from farmland after spending years searching for treasure.

The coins, which are being valued at the British museum, are thought to be worth at least �£3,000.

'In terms of archaeology, this is like winning the lottery. I just couldn't believe my luck,' said the 55-year-old, from Wigston, Leicestershire.

'I always go out with hope in my heart but end up with junk in my pocket. This time it was different. The coins aren't British �" we think they originate from northern France �" so it's a bit of a mystery how they ended up in Leicester.

'It's likely that they could have been given to a British warrior who worked as a mercenary �" the Anglo-Saxons were known for their fearless fighting and often employed to fight for foreign rulers.'

To read the complete article, see:Treasure hunter strikes gold by unearthing 2,000-year-old coins(www.metro.co.uk/news/857562-treasure-hunter-strikes
-gold-by-unearthing-2-000-year-old-coins)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:ARTICLE DISCUSSES THAMES RIVER NUMISMATIC FINDS(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v14n10a25.html)