2,300-year-old pure gold crown under the bed

According to Ancient Origins, the exquisitely carved gold crown dates back to the ancient Greek period, dating back to 300 BC. The crown was found in a box of old newspapers at a house in Somerset, England. The unnamed owner was very surprised by the discovery and even more surprised to learn that the artifact is worth at least $146,000.

Valuers from Duke's Auctioneers in Dorchester, Dorset, went to the pensioner's home to examine some of the items inherited from his great-grandfather. However, Guy Schwinge, auctioneer for Duke's Auctioneers, was surprised when he went through a pile of old newspapers and saw the valuable antique.

"When the owner took the solid gold crown out of the old newspaper box, my heart stopped. When I arrived, I did not expect to find a gold antique. Crowns of this type are difficult to date. It may belong to the Hellenistic period (31-323 BC) and the shape indicates that it was made in northern Greece," Schwinge said.

According to Schwinge, the crown is 20 cm wide and weighs about 100 grams. It is handcrafted from solid gold and made by a skilled craftsman. The necklace is in good condition for 2,300 years old. "It is a rare antique. I have never seen a necklace like it before," Schwinge shared.

The solid gold crowns are inspired by the wreaths of real leaves that the ancient Greeks wore on their heads in religious ceremonies or as prizes in athletic and artistic competitions. They are shaped like branches of laurel, oak, and olive trees, symbolizing wisdom, victory, peace, and virtue.

Many crowns were used as offerings to the gods in places of worship or buried in the tombs of royalty and nobles. They became more common after Alexander the Great's eastern conquests, when gold became more abundant in Greece.

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