Buyer of Agatha Christie trunk opens it to find diamond and gold hoard
March 10, 2010
A leather trunk that once belonged to British thriller-writer Agatha Christie, bought three years ago at auction for just $150, contained a secret hoard of her gold and diamond jewellery that could be worth as much as $150,000.
The owner, Jennifer Grant, who described herself as a fan of Christie's Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple and other mysteries, said she heard items rattling around in the trunk, but was not able to open it as she did not have the key, according to a report in British tabloid The Sun.
After three years, a friend forced it open for her and inside they found another locked box, containing 50 gold coins, a buckle-shaped brooch, and a diamond engagement ring, the newspaper said.
Although valuers have estimated the valuables at $150,000, they could be worth five times as much because of the connection with the world-famous authoress.
