Couple digging new kitchen floor in their 17th century cottage find £35,000 ... trends now A couple digging up the kitchen floor of their newly-bought 17th century cottage found a £35,000 hoard of coins dating back to the English Civil War hidden under the concrete. Robert Fooks had dug 2ft deep using a pickaxe by torchlight when he found a smashed glazed pottery bowl full to the brim with the 400-year-old coins. He had recently bought the cottage with his wife Betty and was carrying out renovation works to create more ceiling height when he made the jaw-dropping discovery. Mr Fooks, an agricultural engineer, meticulously counted the hoard to find there were 1,029 in total with some including gold coins bearing the face of King James I and King Charles I. The discovery at the cottage in South Poorton Farm, in a hamlet near Bridport, Dorset, is believed to have been buried between 1642 and 1644 during the English Civil War for safekeeping. Betty and Robert Fooks were carrying out renovation works on their newly-bought 17th century cottage in South Poorton Farm, in a hamlet near Bridport, Dorset Mr Fooks had dug 2ft deep using a pickaxe by torchlight when he found the 400-year-old coins in a smashed pottery bowl The couple reported it to the local finds liaison officer and it was then sent to the British Museum for cleaning and identification. The coins are now coming up for sale at Duke's Auctioneers of Dorchester, Dorset. Mrs Fooks, a 43-year-old NHS health visitor, said they were taking all the floors and ceilings out and had taken them back to their stone walls. 'One evening, I was with the children and my husband was digging with a pickaxe when he called to say they've found something,' she said. 'He put all the coins in a bucket and brought them home to me. 'If we hadn't lowered the floor they would still be hidden there. 'It is amazing and fascinating [to find the hoard]. 'I presume they were buried during the English Civil War and the person intended to retrieve them but never got the chance.' The discovery at the cottage in South Poorton Farm is believed to have been buried between 1642 and 1644 Mr Fooks, an agricultural engineer, meticulously counted the hoard to find there were 1,029 in total with some including gold coins bearing the face of King James I and King Charles I The most valuable coins are a James I gold laurel coin (1621-23 (pictured)) and Charles I gold unite coin (1626-27), which are both tipped to fetch £2,000 Mrs Fooks, a 43-year-old NHS health visitor, (right) said they were taking all the floors and ceilings out and had taken them back to their stone walls A smashed glazed pottery bowl was found full to the brim with the the 400-year-old coins It is thought the coins were buried during the English Civil War for safekeeping and the 'person intended to retrieve them but never got the chance' The family were carrying out extensive work on the property after they had bought it in October 2019 The couple reported it to the local finds liaison officer and it was then sent to the British Museum for cleaning and identification Pictured: Charles I Gold Unite Crown Coin (circa 1635) worth £2,000 (left) and Charles I Double Crown (Circa 1625) worth £2,000 The hoard also contained Elizabeth I, Philip and Mary silver shillings and sixpences. The collection is being auctioned by Duke's Auctioneers The hoard, which was discovered in October 2019, also contained Elizabeth I, Philip and Mary silver shillings and sixpences. The most valuable coins are a James I gold laurel coin (1621-23) and Charles I gold unite coin (1626-27), which are both tipped to fetch £2,000. The collection has been split into almost 100 lots by Duke's Auctioneers. The sale takes place on April 23. All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility