Metallic detectorist reveals 1,000-year-old Viking relic and it might fetch as much as £24,000 at public sale

A metallic detectorist who found a 1,000-year-old Viking relic has been informed it might fetch as much as £24,000 at public sale.

Jason Jones, 44, was looking out a subject in Norfolk when he uncovered a 5.5 inch lengthy stone die simply two inches beneath the soil.  

The development employee had no concept what the 1.5 inch extensive object was at first however after posting his discover to Facebook he was flooded with messages from individuals serving to him to determine it. 

He learnt that the die, which is being put up on the market on 18 July, would have been pressed towards the gold or silver cheek plates of an eleventh century Viking iron helmet to impart an ornamental sample on it.

It has the sample of the ‘world tree’ Yggdrasil and a serpent Nidhogg intertwining inside its roots. In Viking or Norse mythology the Yggdrasill is a gigantic ash tree that connects the 9 worlds whereas serpents represented order and destruction.

Jason Jones, 44, found a 1,000-year-old Viking relic (pictured) and has been informed it might fetch as much as £24,000 at public sale

The development employee (pictured together with his daughter Ela and spouse Lisa) had no concept what the 1.5 inch extensive object was at first 

Jason had been detecting together with his spouse Lisa in a subject the place they’d beforehand discovered two Medieval silver cash.

He stated he had no concept what he uncovered till he posted an image of it on Fb and was informed of its significance by different detectorists and archaeologists.

The development employee, who additionally detects together with his kids, Rio, 19, Ela and Lia, stated: ‘On January twenty ninth of this 12 months, my spouse Lisa and I have been looking out on a subject in Norfolk which had produced two Medieval silver cash on a earlier go to.

‘I had forgotten to cost my major detector, so had to make use of my backup machine on this event.

‘I returned to the world the place the cash have been discovered and received a loud sign, and at a depth of simply two inches discovered an uncommon bronze object.

‘Lisa came visiting and was speechless when she noticed it.

‘Neither of us had any concept what it may very well be, however that night after posting an image on Fb we realised it was Viking in date and notified the native archaeologist to have it recorded.

‘It was quickly to be clear it was a really attention-grabbing discover because of the fast response from the skilled detectorists and archaeologists on the teams.

‘My inbox went loopy with compliments and other people attempting to assist determine the discover.

‘Right away, individuals from Scandinavia recommended it being a Viking piece of the Urnes Model.

‘I used to be suggested to contact the British Museum to report and report.

‘The entire recording course of was very attention-grabbing and an awesome expertise.’

The die, which has the sample of the ‘world tree’ Yggdrasil and a serpent Nidhogg intertwining inside its roots, would have been pressed towards the gold or silver cheek plates of an iron helmet to mark them

Jason (left), Lisa (centre) and Ela (proper) at work detecting in a subject 

Jason Jones (second from the fitting) with spouse Lisa (entrance) out on a detecting journey

Jason stated he’ll break up the proceeds from the sale with the landowner and spend his share on his household.

The intricate Urnes type ornamentation goes beneath the hammer at London-based auctioneers Noonans.

The Vikings invaded Britain within the eighth century after they landed on the island of Lindasfarne off the coast of Northumbria.

Harold II defeated the Viking invasion of King Hadrada of Norway at Stamford Bridge, York, in 1066 earlier than being defeated by William of Normandy simply three weeks later.

Nigel Mills, cash and artefacts specialist at Noonans, stated: ‘That is an intricate eleventh century Urnes type ornamentation presumably representing the world tree Yggdrasil with the monstrous serpent Nidhogg intertwining inside its roots.

‘On the backside is a fleur-de-lis which seems to kind the tail of the serpent.

‘The die is used to duplicate the design into a skinny sheet of metallic which is pressed into the die after which has the intricate design fashioned.

‘That is known as repoussé and creates a light-weight ornamental motif which may be utilized to a navy helmet.

‘On this case it’s more likely to be the cheek guards or the nostril guard.

‘The helmet can be iron, and the ornamental repoussé plaque can be both copper or silver or gold relying on the standing of the recipient, after which utilized to the helmet.

‘You possibly can see this ornament on vital helmets just like the Sutton Hoo helmet.

‘It was recognized as Viking on Fb from the type which is usually Viking.

‘The exact identification got here later when the museum at Norwich examined it.’