'I could not believe I had found buried treasure'
BBCA metal detectorist has said he initially thought "someone was playing a trick" on him when he unearthed buried treasure.
Chris Cory‑Wright said he found a hoard of silver and gold coins - dating from approximately 20 to 60 BC - while exploring a field in the Surrey Hills area.
He told the BBC he thought the first coin he dug up was a button.
"But I did have my suspicions," Cory‑Wright continued. "I just couldn't really believe it. I thought someone was playing a trick on me."
Cory‑Wright said he found three more "literally within a few minutes".
He said that on one side of the gold coins were horses with stars, moons and suns.
On the other was something that looks a bit like wheat, he said.
But Cory‑Wright added: "We're not really sure [what it is]".
Cory‑Wright told BBC Secret Surrey he selects fields to go metal detecting in if they have a "nice sort of look and feel" to them.
Whether a field is ploughed or not "helps enormously", he added.
"You're more likely to access more ancient finds."
However, Cory‑Wright said people should get the landowner's permission before they start metal detecting.
"You might get yourself into a bit of trouble," he added.
He explained that people can try to make a deal with the landowner where they agree to share anything valuable they find 50:50.
When asked how he feels when he hears the metal detector beep, Cory‑Wright said "optimistic".
"You never know what is going to happen next."
His finds contribute to the growing body of evidence recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme, helping archaeologists map activity in areas previously thought to be quiet or sparsely populated.
The government says people should report treasure to their local finds liaison officer within 14 days of finding it or realising it could be treasure.
There is an unlimited fine or up to three months in prison for not reporting it.
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