10-year-old set to rake in small fortune after digging up rare medieval artifact

By Bradley Stokes via SWNS

A ten-year-old boy is set to rake in a small fortune after digging up a rare medieval priory seal matrix worth £6,000 ($7,949).

George Henderson was metal detecting with his dad Paul, 45, in a charity dig last November when he stumbled across the 800-year-old oval seal.

The pair had been scouring a field in Woodbridge, England, for just 10 minutes when George’s gadget started buzzing

The 13th century copper alloy treasure was just five inches below the surface but had laid undiscovered for more than eight centuries.

It displays the Virgin Mary and Child with a Latin seal which translates to Seal of the Priory and Convent of Butley, of Adam, Canon Regular.

Due to it rarity and historical significance, it is expected to sell between £4,000 and £6,000 ($5,299- $7,949) when it is auctioned on Thursday, March 24.

Paul, a windscreen fitter from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts., said: “The seal’s historical importance rather than value is what’s important to both me and George.

“It’s the most exciting find either of us have ever made.

“George has been metal detecting on and off since the age of five but he doesn’t always come out with me. He’s found one or two interesting things over the years.

A wax impression from the priory seal matrix. (Hansons via SWNS)

« ‹ of 4 › »

“He knew the seal was special when he dug it up but he didn’t know what it was. I did. I knew it was a medieval seal matrix.

“What I didn’t know then was how unusual or valuable it was.

“George was laid back about it at first but, as the day wore on, people kept asking to look at it and he got more excited.

“He seems to be better at making important finds than me. Having said that, there have been plenty of times when he’s come back with nothing.

“I always tell him to keep at it – and he got his reward.”

George, whose find has been designated as of "Regional Importance" on the PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme) database, said: “I’m happy I discovered it.”

Adam Staples, a consultant valuer at Hansons Auctioneers, said: “This is an exceptional find for any metal detectorist to make but to discover something like this when you’re only 10 is astounding.

“George must have the Midas touch. I hope it will inspire him to keep metal detecting and unearthing more history.”

The area where it was found is connected to Butley Priory, a religious house for canons founded near Woodbridge in 1171. Adam served as its prior from 1219 to 1235.

The priory remained in use until 1538 as a religious base for priests and was a site dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Madonna figure on the seal, would have been pressed into wax to seal official correspondence.

Depictions of the Madonna and Child were popular at the time as the Virgin Mary was the subject of great devotion.