Anglo-saxon gold discovered by man with metal detector in Burntwood
Many of the items in the hoard are warfare paraphernalia, including sword pommel caps and hilt plates, often inlaid with precious stones.
The exact location of the discovery has not been disclosed but it is understood to be near the Lichfield border in South Staffordshire.
Mr Herbert, who has been metal detecting for 18 years, came across the buried hoard in July after asking a farmer friend if he could search on his land.
He said: "I have this phrase that I say sometimes; 'spirits of yesteryear take me where the coins appear', but on that day I changed coins to gold.
"I don't know why I said it that day, but I think somebody was listening and directed me to it.
"Maybe it was meant to be, maybe the gold had my name on it all along, I don't know.
"My mates at the (metal detecting) club always say if there is a gold coin in a field I will be the one to find it. I dread to think what they'll say when they hear about this."
He added: "This is what metal detectorists dream of, finding stuff like this. But the vast amount there is is just unbelievable."
