Nelson Treasures Found

A trove of important Nelson memorabilia has been discovered by accident during a search of old deeds in Britain.

While checking a couple of boxes of papers, an insurance valuer at Sotheby's found a diamond broach believed to be a gift from Admiral Horatio Nelson to his lover Lady Hamilton.

The broach has the letters H and N surrounding an anchor and is expected to fetch in the vicinity of £200,000 at an auction on 21 October.

Also up for sale is a sword, which may get £90,000, given to Nelson after the battle of the Nile.

The most interesting find, however, is the green-silk purse the naval hero had on him during his final battle at Trafalgar.

The purse contains £14 in coin - 21 gold coin, guineas and half-guineas - and has bloodstains on it. An estimated price of some £100,000 is expected for the fascinating item.