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A gold Saxon sword pommel discovered by an 81-year-old metal detectorist has sold at auction for £16,000. The 7th Century pommel, measuring 4cm by 1.5cm and weighing 20.5g, was found in a field in Billesdon, Leicestershire, in 2021. It was declared as treasure but disclaimed after Leicester Museum declined to buy it. Prior to the auction on Thursday, auctioneers Noonans Mayfair said the "fabulous" pommel was expected to fetch between £15,000 and £18,000. Auctioneer NIgel Mills told Ady Dayman that the woman who discovered the pommel, who does not want to be named, had been detecting for more than 60 years.