SECRET DRAWER FIND: 14TH CENTURY GOLD COIN

A gold coin, estimated to be worth up to £3,000, has been found inside a hidden drawer of a wooden bureau valued at just £60.

The Raymond IV Prince of Orange Franc A Pied coin dates back to 1365, making it more than 650 years old.

Its guide price is £1,200 to £1,800, but experts think it could sell for as much as £3,000.

Amy Clapp, 37, from Derbyshire, was given the 20th century George II-style bureau by a long-lost distant cousin. It is estimated to be worth £60 to £80.

Mrs Clapp said: "I can't even remember meeting my great cousin but I received a letter from a solicitor before Christmas informing me that I'd been left various items of furniture. Apparently, the will was written when I was 13 years old."

Mrs Clapp had no idea the hidden drawer, which had kept the 14th century French gold coin hidden, even existed until she took it to an auctioneers.

The coin was discovered by furniture valuer Edward Rycroft, at Hansons Auctioneers, London.

During an inspection he found three secret drawers within the bureau, one containing the 22ct gold coin.

Mr Rycroft said: "I know bureaus like this often have tiny, secret drawers - sometimes called coin drawers - so I always check them just in case.

"But in 10 years of valuing furniture I have never found anything in them - until now."

To read the complete article, see:
Auctioneer strikes gold with ancient coin hidden in secret drawer (https://www.itv.com/news/2019-02-18/auctioneer-strikes-gold-with-ancient-coin-hidden-in-secret-drawer/)

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