Metal detectorist unearths stunning £15,000 gold hat pin from 1485 which may have belonged to King Edward IV
- Metal detectorist Lisa Grace spotted the Medieval jewel in freshly-ploughed field
- It is believed that the piece is linked to Edward IV, who lived from 1442 - 1483
- Specialists speculate that the piece may have been lost in battle in the area
- The King wore strikingly similar pieces and is designed as a sun in splendour - the personal emblem of Edward IV
An amateur metal detectorist has unearthed a gold hat pin worth £15,000 that may have belonged to King Edward IV, who reigned during the 15th century.
Lisa Grace, 42, spotted the Medieval jewel, which is in pristine condition, while searching a recently-ploughed field in Lincolnshire.
It is believed the pin is linked to royalty as Edward IV and his circle wore strikingly similar pieces during his two reigns as King from 1460 until his death in 1483.
Experts believe that the jewel was made in the late 15th century and is designed as a sun in splendour - the personal emblem of Edward IV.
They believe that the piece may have been lost in battle. His first reign was filled with power struggle and conflicts, with many taking place in the area.
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A metal detectorist has unearthed a gold hat pin that may have links to King Edward IV and is worth £15,000. Lisa Grace spotted the Medieval jewel while searching a recently-ploughed field in Lincolnshire
At the centre of the piece is a purple amethyst stone, another of the King's favourites, leading some specialists to speculate that it may have been lost by Edward IV himself.
The pin closely resembles a very similar jewel depicted on Edward IV's hat in a portrait preserved in The Museum Calvet in Avignon, France.
Ms Grace said she was stunned when she found it a few inches below the ground.
'When I found it the jewel wasn't far under the ground at all as the field had recently been ploughed,' she said.
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Lisa Grace, left, spotted the pristine jewel in a recently-ploughed field in Lincolnshire, Right, Edward IV and his circle wore strikingly similar pieces in the 15th century
The jewel is thought to have been made around the year 1485 and is designed as a sun in splendour - the personal emblem of Edward IV. At the centre of the piece is a purple amethyst stone, another of the King's favourites, leading some specialists to speculate that it may have been lost by Edward IV himself
The specialists say they have been experiencing early interest from both collectors and museums and are expecting offers between £10,000 and £15,000.
Mr Schwinge from Duke's, said: 'The jewel does bear a striking resemblance to the one in a well-known portrait of Edward IV from the Musee Calvet.
He also said that it also could have belonged to a courtier.
'The fact is we shall never know but it clearly belonged to someone of high status in the upper echelons of medieval society.'
Ms Grace said: 'To be honest my initial reaction was one of ''what the hell is this?'' - I didn't have any idea.
'It was only later when I phoned some friends and did some research that I found out how special it was.
The pin closely resembles a very similar jewel depicted on Edward IV's hat in a portrait preserved in The Museum Calvet in Avignon, France
'The possibility that it could have belonged to royalty is amazing and even if it didn't, it would have belonged to someone of high status.'
Ms Grace has now listed the pin for sale and it is to go under the hammer at Duke's Auctioneers of Dorchester, Dorset.
The jewel, which remains in stunning condition, will be sold at the auction house on April 26.
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