Amateur treasure hunters unearth £1 million in Anglo Saxon coins

A total of 5,251 silver Anglo Saxon coins were discovered buried in the ground of rural farmland. Credit: SWNS

Amateur treasure hunters have unearthed more than £1 million-worth of rare Anglo Saxon coins in a farmer's field.

The coins, which are over 1,000 years old, were stumbled upon by members of the Weekend Wanderers Detecting Club during a Christmas dig near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

A total of 5,251 silver Anglo Saxon coins were discovered buried in the ground of rural farmland. Credit: SWNS

Over 100 people took part in the festive treasure hunt when the collection of more than 5,000 silver coins was found.

The perfectly-preserved coins, which feature the faces of Anglo Saxon kings, were stored in a lead bucket which was buried two feet underground.

Over 100 people took part in the festive treasure hunt when the rare find was made. Credit: SWNS

Experts have said the rare coins could be worth more than £1 million, while club leader Pete Welch described the find as "very significant".

The coins will now be taken to the British Museum for conservation and identification. Credit: SWNS

The coins will now be taken to the British Museum for conservation and identification before a coroner will decide whether they are legally treasure.

A museum will then be able to bid for the coins with the money from the sale being split between the land owner and the individual who made the discovery