Renovation led to a shocking discovery: what a couple found beneath their kitchen floor.

A couple from North Yorkshire, England, made an unexpected discovery while renovating their 18th-century home. Beneath the kitchen floor, just 15 centimeters deep, they uncovered a hoard of 264 rare coins valued at over $300,000 (£250,000), writes Daily Record.

The coins, which date back to the reigns of monarchs from James I to George I (1610-1727), represent one of the largest archaeological finds of its kind in Britain. Experts have determined that the collection belonged to the Fernley-Maitland family from Hull, a wealthy lineage that imported timber, coal, and iron ore.

Family members were also members of Parliament in the 1700s, and it is believed that the collection was amassed during the lifetime of Joseph Fernley, who passed away in 1725, and his wife Sarah Maitland, who died in 1745.

The question of why such a fortune was hidden rather than stored in banks at a time when financial institutions were available remains a subject of intrigue. Some speculate it was a precaution against theft or economic instability.

Regardless of the motive, the find has thrilled both history enthusiasts and the general public, eliciting reactions ranging from astonishment to humor. As one observer noted, "every treasure hunt enthusiast dreams of such a find."

We also reported on unique artifacts discovered in France. During excavations in the town of Pacy, researchers found artifacts that testify to the millennia-long history of the area.