With the help of his metal detector, a ten-year-old child discovered an 800-year-old medieval priory seal matrix, which sold for £4,000 ($5,239).
In November, during a charity dig, George Henderson was with his father Paul when he discovered the old oval seal.
George discovered the 13th-century copper alloy object five inches below the ground after only ten minutes of scouring a field in Woodbridge, Suffolk.
The Virgin Mary and Child are depicted alongside a Latin seal that reads “Seal of the Priory and Convent of Butley, of Adam, Canon Regular.”
On Thursday, the relic used by priests centuries ago was auctioned off at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire, and sold to a private UK buyer.
The money will now be split between George, the lucky finder who owns the land where the treasure was discovered.
Dad Paul, a windshield fitter from Nottinghamshire’s Sutton-in-Ashfield, claimed his son’s find had surpassed anything he had discovered in his years of metal detecting.
“What’s important to George about the seal and me is its historical significance rather than its worth,” he continued. It’s the most thrilling discovery that any of us has ever made.
“George has been metal detecting on and off since he was five years old, but he doesn’t always accompany me. Over the years, he’s discovered a few exciting things.
“When he dug up the seal, he knew it was exceptional, but he didn’t know what it was.” That’s precisely what I did. It was a medieval seal matrix.
“At the time, I had no idea how rare or valuable it was.”
“At first, George was unconcerned about it, but people continued wanting to see it as the day progressed, and he became more enthusiastic.
“He appears to be more adept at making significant discoveries than I am. There have been numerous occasions when he has returned empty-handed.
“I always advise him to keep working hard, and he did.”
“I’m delighted I discovered it,” George remarked of his find, which was categorized as “Regional Importance” on the PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme) database.
Butley Priory, a religious institution for canons founded near Woodbridge in 1171, is tied to the location where it was discovered. From 1219 to 1235, Adam was its predecessor.
The priory was used as a religious base for priests and was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary until 1538.
The Madonna figure on the seal would have been pressed into wax to seal official correspondence.
The Virgin Mary was a significant subject of devotion during the time. Hence depictions of the Madonna and Child were common.
“This is an exceptional find for any metal detectorist to make, but discovering something like this when you’re only ten is astounding,” said Adam Staples, a consultant valuer at Hansons Auctioneers.
“George must have the Midas touch,” says the narrator. I hope it encourages him to continue metal detecting and uncovering more history.”
