The largest hoard of gold sovereigns, a total of 913 gold coins dating back to the 18th century have been found hidden in an old piano in Britain. It has been declared treasure by a court.

Broadwood and Sons of London were the makers of the piano which was sold to two music teachers in Saffron Waldon, Essex in 1906. Its history was not known until 1983 when it was sold to the Hemming family in the Saffron Walden area. Later they moved to Shropshire and last year they donated the piano to Bishops Castle Community College to help students learn music.

When the piano was given for repairing and re-tuning, the gold coins were discovered. The BBC reported that the Shrewsbury Coroner's Court has declared the find as treasure, which means the ownership of the coins lies with the Crown. It will be offered for sale to museums.

The Bishops Castle Community College, which owns the piano and the tuner who found the treasure is expected to share a reward. The treasure includes 913 gold sovereigns and half sovereigns dating from 1847 to 1915, from the reigns of Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George V. It is valued at roughly 500,000 pounds.

The gold coins were in seven carefully stitched  cloth bound packets and concealed under the keyboard of the piano.