We found phallic pendant ditched in a field and now we’ll make a fortune flogging it – here’s how

A TREASURE hunting couple were stunned when they found a tiny penis-shaped pendant buried in a field.

The pair who discovered it said the Celtic relic is their most valuable find ever – worth more than £1,000.

Paul Shepheard/Cover ImagesDetectorist Paul Shepheard discovered a Celtic fertility pin from the time of the Roman invasion of Britain in a field in Lincolnshire[/caption]

Paul Shepheard/Cover ImagesThe pair who discovered it said the Celtic relic is their most valuable find ever – worth more than £1,000[/caption]

Paul and Joanne Shepheard were using their metal detectors to scour farmland in Lincolnshire when they found the 2,000-year-old relic.

The couple initially thought it was an old pin – until they saw the penis and an outline of a face.

Experts believe the object is Celtic and was a representation of the fertility god based on the Roman god Mercury.

The ancient relic depicts a bronze figurine holding a giant phallus which is hinged for movement.

It measures 5.5cm high by 1.2cm wide.

The amulet was most likely used as a locking mechanism on a belt or even a sword.

Paul and Joanne were taking part in a rally in Haconby, Lincolnshire, in November when they made the discovery using their new XP Deus II metal detectors.

The Shepheards have been metal detecting for over 25 years and say the fertility figurine is their most valuable find to date.

Paul, 69, from Cambridgeshire, said: “What I love about metal-detecting is that absolute surprise of what you find, and this certainly came out of the blue.

“We initially thought it was Roman as the military wore phallic pendants but they did not have moving parts, so to speak, but this was designed by the Celts who have added a hinged element making it very artistic which perhaps made their feelings even more obvious.

“We hope to use the proceeds from the sale to pay for a holiday for my wife and her mother.”

Experts believe the cheeky Celtic charm could fetch between £800 and £1,200 when it is sold at Nooans Auction house next month.

Nigel Mills, a Coins and Artefacts expert, said: “Dating to the Celtic period from the 1st century AD, this is a representation of a fertility god, probably based on the Roman god Mercury as he is holding a purse in his left hand.

“This male figure with its hinged oversized phallus would have had symbolic powers of good luck and warding off evil spirits and may have served as a locking mechanism as a buckle to hold a belt and scabbard for a sword.

“There is nothing quite like it, I am hoping it will attract a lot of attention.”

The couple isn’t the first to make a brilliant discovery while metal detecting.

This husband and wife found five medieval coins while metal detecting in a Kent field – and are set to make £15,000 from their discovery.

Meanwhile, one baker hopes to make some serious dough after finding a rare 539-year-old gold coin worth £15,000 while out metal detecting.

Noonans/Cover ImagesThe phallic object is worth a hefty sum[/caption]