A collection of 2,584 Norman-era silver pennies found by seven metal detectorists in a Somerset field has been acquired for the nation at a value of £4.3 million, making it the most valuable treasure find in British history. The South West Heritage Trust secured the ancient coins, known as the Chew Valley Hoard, after five years of formal processing under the Treasure Act 1996. The purchase was made possible by a £4,420,527 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, along with £150,000 from the Art Fund and support from local charities. Dating from 1066 to 1068, the coins offer rare physical evidence of the political unrest that followed the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest of England. Under the laws covering treasure finds in England, the £4.3 million payment is divided equally.
Half goes to the landowner, while the other half is shared by the seven people who found the coins.
By the end of the day, they had recovered more than 2,400 coins. We know that the people of Exeter rebelled against William in 1068 and attacks were mounted in the mouth of the River Avon and down into Somerset. The collection will go on display at the British Museum in London on 26 November. In a statement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, he noted that the Treasure Act 1996 continues to protect important artefacts for local and national institutions.
Because if you wanted to keep your money safe you had to bury it in the ground, “We think that the hoard was probably buried for safekeeping. Sam Astill, Chief Executive of the South West Heritage Trust, said: “The hoard symbolises a pivotal moment in English history and we are delighted to have made this acquisition so that it may be enjoyed by generations to come. Speaking after the official acquisition was announced, Staples described the experience of taking the find to archaeological experts.
“It’s like winning the lottery but then you can’t cash the ticket for five years,” Staples told reporters. He said the coronavirus pandemic added to the delay in the valuation process. “The hoard was buried in 1067-1068 on an estate that belonged to the Bishop of Wells and we know at this time there were a lot of rebellions in the South West against the new Norman king,” Khreisheh said.
“Coming to the British Museum a few days after we found the hoard, when they opened the front gates and we drove through crowds with a few million pounds worth of coins in the back of the car, was a surreal experience. “And then it was Covid and five years of silence until we got to this point. It’s frustrating, but it’s still winning the lottery, so you feel like you can’t complain. We received the money a few weeks ago. I’ve bought a house and can now live mortgage-free. The group followed the official process by reporting the coins to the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme. Experts were then able to examine, identify and record the collection. Amal Khreisheh, curator of archaeology at the South West Heritage Trust, explained why the hoard is important. We think that against that backdrop that the coins were buried and we’re really excited to discover more about the stories they tell us. Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will allow members of the public to see the historic coins at several locations around the country. After its first London exhibition, the hoard will travel to other locations in the region, including a temporary display in nearby Bath. After the UK tour, the collection will return permanently to Somerset and will be displayed at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton. It highlights the power of museums, collections and stories to inspire people and communities and has been made possible thanks to a wide range of partners working together to ensure our heritage is protected and accessible for everyone. Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant also welcomed the public acquisition.