George Henderson.Photo: Hanson’s AuctioneersAn 800-year-old medieval wax seal sold for more than $5,000 at auction after a 10-year-old boy found it while treasure hunting with his father in Suffolk, England in November, according toHansons Auctioneers.George Henderson and his father Paul were taking part in a charity dig when hediscoveredan early 13th century seal displaying the Virgin and Child, said Hansons, which auctioned off the artifact in March.“He knew the seal was special when he dug it up but he didn’t know what it was. I did. I knew it was a medieval seal matrix,” Paul told the auction house. “What I didn’t know then was how unusual or valuable it was.“Paul said his son was “laid back” about the discovery but became excited as people asked about it.“I’m happy I discovered it,” George said, per Hansons.“The proceeds will be shared between the lucky finder and the farmer whose land it was discovered on,” the auction house said, but the boy’s father said they care more about the magnitude of theartifact.Priory seal.Hanson’s Auctioneers"The seal’s historical importance rather than value is what’s important to both me and George,” Paul said. “It’s the most exciting find either of us have ever made.“The item is connected to Butley Priory, a religious house for canons established in 1171, and its Latin inscription translates to ‘‘Seal of the Priory and Convent of Butley, of Adam, Canon Regular,” according to the auction house.Hansons Auctioneers estimated that the seal is 800 years old, as Adam was the prior from 1219 to 1235.“This is an exceptional find for any metal detectorist to make but to discover something like this when you’re only 10 is astounding,” said metal detectorist Adam Staples, a consultant valuer at Hansons Auctioneers.“George must have the Midas touch!” Staples added. “I hope it will inspire him to keep metal detecting and unearthing more history.“Paul said his son has been treasure hunting for the last five years and he hopes his son will keep up the good work.Priory seal.Hanson’s AuctioneersNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“George has been metal detecting on and off since the age of 5 but he doesn’t always come out with me,” he said, per the auction house. “He’s found one or two interesting things over the years.“He added, “He seems to be better at making important finds than me! Having said that, there have been plenty of times when he’s come back with nothing. I always tell him to keep at it — and he got his reward.”
George Henderson.Photo: Hanson’s Auctioneers
An 800-year-old medieval wax seal sold for more than $5,000 at auction after a 10-year-old boy found it while treasure hunting with his father in Suffolk, England in November, according toHansons Auctioneers.George Henderson and his father Paul were taking part in a charity dig when hediscoveredan early 13th century seal displaying the Virgin and Child, said Hansons, which auctioned off the artifact in March.“He knew the seal was special when he dug it up but he didn’t know what it was. I did. I knew it was a medieval seal matrix,” Paul told the auction house. “What I didn’t know then was how unusual or valuable it was.“Paul said his son was “laid back” about the discovery but became excited as people asked about it.“I’m happy I discovered it,” George said, per Hansons.“The proceeds will be shared between the lucky finder and the farmer whose land it was discovered on,” the auction house said, but the boy’s father said they care more about the magnitude of theartifact.Priory seal.Hanson’s Auctioneers"The seal’s historical importance rather than value is what’s important to both me and George,” Paul said. “It’s the most exciting find either of us have ever made.“The item is connected to Butley Priory, a religious house for canons established in 1171, and its Latin inscription translates to ‘‘Seal of the Priory and Convent of Butley, of Adam, Canon Regular,” according to the auction house.Hansons Auctioneers estimated that the seal is 800 years old, as Adam was the prior from 1219 to 1235.“This is an exceptional find for any metal detectorist to make but to discover something like this when you’re only 10 is astounding,” said metal detectorist Adam Staples, a consultant valuer at Hansons Auctioneers.“George must have the Midas touch!” Staples added. “I hope it will inspire him to keep metal detecting and unearthing more history.“Paul said his son has been treasure hunting for the last five years and he hopes his son will keep up the good work.Priory seal.Hanson’s AuctioneersNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“George has been metal detecting on and off since the age of 5 but he doesn’t always come out with me,” he said, per the auction house. “He’s found one or two interesting things over the years.“He added, “He seems to be better at making important finds than me! Having said that, there have been plenty of times when he’s come back with nothing. I always tell him to keep at it — and he got his reward.”
An 800-year-old medieval wax seal sold for more than $5,000 at auction after a 10-year-old boy found it while treasure hunting with his father in Suffolk, England in November, according toHansons Auctioneers.
George Henderson and his father Paul were taking part in a charity dig when hediscoveredan early 13th century seal displaying the Virgin and Child, said Hansons, which auctioned off the artifact in March.
“He knew the seal was special when he dug it up but he didn’t know what it was. I did. I knew it was a medieval seal matrix,” Paul told the auction house. “What I didn’t know then was how unusual or valuable it was.”
Paul said his son was “laid back” about the discovery but became excited as people asked about it.
“I’m happy I discovered it,” George said, per Hansons.
“The proceeds will be shared between the lucky finder and the farmer whose land it was discovered on,” the auction house said, but the boy’s father said they care more about the magnitude of theartifact.
Priory seal.Hanson’s Auctioneers
“The seal’s historical importance rather than value is what’s important to both me and George,” Paul said. “It’s the most exciting find either of us have ever made.”
The item is connected to Butley Priory, a religious house for canons established in 1171, and its Latin inscription translates to ‘‘Seal of the Priory and Convent of Butley, of Adam, Canon Regular,” according to the auction house.
Hansons Auctioneers estimated that the seal is 800 years old, as Adam was the prior from 1219 to 1235.
“This is an exceptional find for any metal detectorist to make but to discover something like this when you’re only 10 is astounding,” said metal detectorist Adam Staples, a consultant valuer at Hansons Auctioneers.
“George must have the Midas touch!” Staples added. “I hope it will inspire him to keep metal detecting and unearthing more history.”
Paul said his son has been treasure hunting for the last five years and he hopes his son will keep up the good work.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“George has been metal detecting on and off since the age of 5 but he doesn’t always come out with me,” he said, per the auction house. “He’s found one or two interesting things over the years.”
He added, “He seems to be better at making important finds than me! Having said that, there have been plenty of times when he’s come back with nothing. I always tell him to keep at it — and he got his reward.”
source: people.com
