A metal detectorist has spoken of his surprise at finding a locket with images of the Royal Family that was 120 years old.
The tiny photos within the locket are in amazing shape considering how long it was submerged.
The copper-alloy locket is shaped like a book and includes six black-and-white images of Queen Victoria, her son King Edward VII, and his wife Alexandra on its movable pages.
The wording “Coronation 1902” on the front of the pamphlet suggests that it was prepared to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII, who succeeded Queen Victoria in that year.
Shaun Marshall, a treasure hunter from Chelmsford, Essex, discovered the gem in a field after three hours of looking and right before he was about to give up.
In one collection of photos, Queen Victoria is seen in her final years with a young Edward.
Another depicts him as a royal with his Danish wife Alexandra. When he was 21 and she was 18, they got married.
The couple is seen in the final pair wearing coronation robes. When Queen Victoria passed away in January 1901, Edward became king and decided to use the name Edward rather than Albert to rule.
On August 9, 1902, he was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
The ambulance service’s Shaun, 41, said: “After three hours, I received a terrific signal and gave it a quick poke with my shovel.”
“I found what appeared to be a parchment bundle, which I almost threw away since I mistook it for a candy wrapper.
A little locket with a front made of green and red enamel and a gold chain was within.
Until I conducted some research after I defrosted, I was unaware of what it was.
It appears to be in remarkably good condition, especially the images. I was shocked and overjoyed that it should still be in such wonderful shape.
I’m assuming that the wax paper that it was wrapped in helped preserve it.
“I’m definitely keeping it.” It’s a genuinely amazing small bit of our history that has been found after 120 years.