A family in southern England unearthed a trove of Tudor-era gold coins hoard while gardening in their backyard. Credit: Mykl Roventine – CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 via Flickr
In a remarkable discovery during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, a family in southern England unearthed a trove of Tudor-era gold coins hoard while gardening in their backyard. The hoard, now officially recognized as the “New Forest Hoard,” was found in April 2020 near the coastal village of Milford on Sea, Hampshire. What started as routine yardwork soon became a historic find — and a life-changing one.
As they prepared a flowerbed, the family noticed several thin discs buried in a clump of soil. Their teenage son rinsed the dirt away, revealing dozens of gold coins. A total of 64 coins — 63 gold and one silver — were initially uncovered. Experts later added six more gold coins after a full archaeological excavation of the site, bringing the total count to 70.
Rare coins reveal glimpse of Tudor-era wealth
Experts from the British Museum examined the hoard and confirmed the coins’ authenticity and historical significance. The collection spans more than a century, dating from the reign of Henry VI in the 1420s to the rule of Henry VIII in the late 1530s. Coins from monarchs including Edward IV and Henry VII were also found in the mix.
Some of the most intriguing pieces feature initials belonging to Henry VIII’s wives — Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and Jane Seymour — a rare detail that adds to the coins’ historical value. Scholars suggest the hoard was likely buried around the 1530s, a time of great political and religious unrest in England. The English Reformation and the dissolution of monasteries may have prompted someone to hide their wealth.
A couple in southern England 🏴🇬🇧 were working in their garden, adjusting a fence post. As they dug into the clay soil near their flower bed, they hit something unexpected—a handful of small, round objects. At first, they looked like bits of old metal. Then the mud came off, and… pic.twitter.com/DwkdH3k6h2
— ArchaeoHistories (@histories_arch) November 5, 2025
When the coins were buried, their value could have bought a modest rural property — a substantial sum in the 16th century.
Global interest pushes auction price higher than expected
Following legal protocols, the family reported the find through the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Although the British Museum had the option to acquire the hoard, financial limitations during the pandemic made that impossible. After the official review process, ownership returned to the family.
On Wednesday night, the coins were sold at an auction in Zurich. Rather than selling them as a single collection, auctioneer David Guest offered the coins in smaller groups. This strategy drew interest from collectors worldwide and helped raise the final price to 403,100 Swiss francs — just over £380,000 or about US$490,000.
Guest described the coins as “stunning” and said the auction “far exceeded expectations.” He added that the family was “over the moon” about the result and still in disbelief that such a valuable treasure had been hidden under their garden.
Historians say the New Forest Hoard offers a rare and detailed view of England’s economy during the Tudor period, when gold coinage was mainly held by the elite. Why the coins were buried may never be known, but experts agree that the discovery offers a unique connection to the past — and a powerful reminder of how history can surface in the most unexpected places.
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