The recent discovery of a trove of ancient British coins by two amateur archaeologists is a wonderful reminder of the undiscovered treasures buried beneath our feet. The Bunnik hoard (pictured), found near Utrecht in the Netherlands, includes 44 rare gold coins bearing the name of Celtic king Cunobelinus dating back to the 1st century. Unearthed less than 30cm below the surface, the discovery is one of huge significance, although a monetary value has yet to be assigned.

While metal detecting is a fun hobby for many, some enthusiasts strike it lucky, unearthing treasures worth life-changing sums of money with their trusty detectors. From historical hoards to massive gold nuggets, read on to uncover some of the most valuable metal detector finds of all time.

All dollar values in US dollars unless otherwise specified. Currency conversions correct for the time of valuation. Pre-2022 figures adjusted for inflation.