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Published on Saturday 17 December 2011
A father-of-three has the last laugh after a Viking hoard of silver coins and jewelry he found was officially declared treasure.
Darren Webster, 39, from Silverdale, in the UK is now hoping the silver coins and jewellery will be bought by a Lancashire museum.
The stone mason's hobby started two years ago when his wife bought him a metal detector for Christmas and he found a rare lead casket containing 27 Viking coins, from 871 to 899, and jewellery buried in a field in Silverdale on September 14.
Mr Webster commented: "Metal detecting, some people look at it like it's a bit of a sad hobby. My wife used to laugh at me all the time".
The first thing I did after finding it was phone my wife. I said, don't laugh dear, but I've found real treasure.
When I took it home, she soon realized that I had found something big.
She was more than happy, she now thinks it's a great hobby.
My initial reaction was that I've found something special. I was pretty sure it was Viking, based my own knowledge. I was both amazed and shocked.
The only other thing of any value I've found was a silver Henry VIII Half Groat.
A friend of mine has been metal detecting for a long time and he showed me a load of the things he had found over the years.
That sparked an interest in me so I thought I would like to have a go at it also.
The find was officially declared treasure by Deputy Coroner Simon Jones, after an inquest at Preston Coroner's Court.
Mr Webster is now waiting to discover how much it is all worth when a preliminary valuation is held in mid January.
He will split the proceeds from any sales of the treasure down the middle with the land-owner.
Following the preliminary valuation, a Treasure Valuation Committee will hold a meeting in February.
One of the coins contains the name of a previously unknown Viking ruler, Harthacnut, in northern England.
Mr Webster, who goes out once or twice a week, said: "This one coin has never been seen before, how do you put a value on that?"
Dot Boughton, a finds officer for Lancashire and Cumbria, said it would be very difficult to estimate a value because "Viking hoards are so rare".
The only comparable find is the Vale of York hoard, which was valued at 1.2m British Pounds and was a much larger discovery, it contained 700 items including a gold bracelet and a rare bowl.
She added: "We don't get much treasure here in the North West like they get (in other areas)".
"It's something to be envious of because Viking hoards are so rare and precious."
Mr Webster said: "I would like to see it go to a local museum where the public will see it and enjoy it."