Metal detectorist searching Gold Rush campsite uncovers 'extremely rare' relic: 'Such a buzz'

The field, north of the mining town of Ballarat, had been used as a campsite during the Australian Gold Rush, which began in 1851 and continued for decades.

Digging in the dirt, James realized the coin was Japanese in origin - and made of bronze.

The find was no ordinary piece of currency.

Interestingly, the characters on the coin are Chinese, even though it was produced in Japan during the mid-19th century - a common practice at the time.

Unearthing the artifact was "such a buzz," James told Fox News Digital. "Finding a Japanese coin this old in Australia is extremely rare."

"At first I had no idea what it was because I have never found anything like it," he said.

He was "not expecting to find something so unique in the area," he added, as his eyes were originally set on Australian coins and jewelry. He's even found gold nuggets in recent weeks.

"I have started to uncover other relics, including a belt buckle dated around the 1840s, and a trade token coin with the date 1855," said James. 

"I can't wait to see what else I can detect from this location."

And for those interested in metal detecting, James raved about the hobby, encouraging people to "go for it."

"Metal detecting is such a great hobby," he said. 

"I take my young boys with me all the time. They absolutely love it also."

The artifact is among several coin-related discoveries that were recently uncovered, thanks to metal detecting.