A British pensioner in Somerset, England, stumbled upon an extraordinary relic—an ancient Greek gold crown—hidden away in an old cardboard box beneath his bed. Wrapped in crumpled newspapers, the 2,300-year-old artifact had been sitting unnoticed for nearly a decade.
A Forgotten Inheritance
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, inherited various belongings from his grandfather, an avid traveler and collector. However, he never gave much thought to the items until he decided to have them appraised at Duke’s of Dorchester auction house.
“I knew my grandfather traveled extensively in the 1940s and 50s, especially in regions linked to Alexander the Great,” he told the Daily Mail. “It’s possible he acquired the wreath during his travels, but he never mentioned it.”
A Stunning Discovery
During the appraisal, expert Guy Schwinge experienced a moment of disbelief as the pensioner pulled the golden wreath from the tattered box. “My heart skipped a beat,” Schwinge recalled. “The last thing I expected to see in that cottage was an ancient gold artifact.”
Handcrafted from pure gold, the crown spans approximately eight inches across and weighs around 100 grams (about 11 ounces). Experts believe it dates back to the Hellenistic period, spanning from 323 BC (following Alexander the Great’s death) to 31 BC (the rise of the Roman Empire).
Historical Significance and Symbolism
While the wreath's exact origins remain uncertain due to a lack of documentation, traces of soil on the artifact suggest it was once buried. Schwinge noted that gold wreaths from this era are notoriously difficult to date but are typically associated with Northern Greece.
These delicate crowns often depicted branches of laurel, myrtle, oak, or olive—symbols of victory, wisdom, fertility, and peace in ancient Greek culture. Historically, such wreaths were worn during ceremonial events or placed in the graves of high-status individuals as offerings to the gods.
A Priceless Relic
With an estimated value between £100,000 and £200,000, the gold crown represents an incredible link to the ancient world. Its true origins may remain a mystery, but it serves as a remarkable testament to the craftsmanship and cultural traditions of ancient Greece.
