15 Money Trees That Are a Numismatist's Worst Nightmare (16 Photos)

Finding old coins nowadays is no easy task—unless you happen to be in the Peak District. Here, a numismatist's dream literally grows on trees, with dense rows of metal peeking out from the bark of trunks, roots, and branches. How did they get there? It all stems from an ancient superstition long held across Britain.





According to ancient custom, offerings were made to woodland spirits in exchange for granted wishes. Locals would travel to these magical trees to hammer coins into the wood, praying for wealth or good health. Over time, some trees became so densely packed with offerings that their bark came to resemble medieval chainmail.

At first, pilgrims left simple trinkets and sweets. Later, as Christmas traditions took root across the British Isles and decorated evergreen trees became popular, people began bringing coins into the woods instead. These became known as "wishing trees." It was believed that offering a coin would absorb one's troubles, freeing the giver from illness, curses, and poverty. Legend also had it that the larger the offering, the more children a family would have.



Remarkably, this ancient tradition is still alive today. Proof of this can be seen in modern coins hammered into trunks right alongside centuries-old farthings. To embed a coin, visitors typically use a heavy stone or a hammer.





Like a coin, this old tradition has a flip side. Under no circumstances should anyone greedily try to pry the coins loose. Legend warns that taking someone else's money means taking on their misfortunes as well. That is why these 15 extraordinary trees have stood untouched for centuries—no one has been brave enough to risk inheriting another person's bad luck.



The oldest coin discovered in these trees by researchers is a florin dating back to 1700. Queen Victoria even wrote about visiting a coin-covered tree in the mountains of Wales. Remarkably, the metal has fused deep into the wood; as the trees grew over the centuries, they engulfed the coins, while visitors kept driving in new ones.



Today, these mystical money trees are part of a popular tourist route, and the Peak District forest is officially protected.