Remarkable coin collection bought by UK trust for over €5 million

The South West Heritage Trust secured this “unprecedented” hoard from the Crown, with the metal detectorists who discovered the coins sharing the proceeds with the landowner.

Known as the Chew Valley Hoard, the treasure was unearthed on 26 January 2019 by seven friends during a metal detecting outing in the Chew Valley, set in Bath and North East Somerset.

“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,” Sam Astill, the South West Heritage Trust’s chief executive, said.

Lisa Grace and Adam Staples, who – together with five friends – found the majority of the coins on that momentous weekend trip to the Chew Valley, have said before how it felt like a “dream” to uncover such a significant treasure.

But what is “treasure”?

In the UK, finders of potential treasure are legally required to inform their local coroner under the Treasure Act 1996. This act provides several definitions of treasure, including: prehistoric items, coins made of gold or silver that are at least 300 years old, and more recent valuable objects that have been intentionally hidden.

If the find is declared treasure, the discoverer can’t simply sell to the highest bidder or keep their find as a unique piece of home decor – they must offer it for sale to a museum at a price determined by the British Museum’s Treasure Valuation Committee.

Coins from the hoard will go on display at the British Museum from 26 November, before touring museums in the UK including Bath and finding a permanent home at the Museum of Somerset.

Experts believe the coins were buried for safekeeping amidst the chaos of the Norman Conquest. Nearly half of the coins feature Harold II, the last crowned Saxon king of England (reigned 1066), while the other half depict William I (reigned 1066-1087). Just one coin features Edward ‘The Confessor’.

UK Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant commented, “This remarkable hoard gives us unique insight into our country’s rich history and one of the most important moments in our history, when these islands were thrown into turmoil by the Norman Conquest.”

The South West Heritage Trust was able to purchase the coin hoard – the largest found in the UK from the period after the Norman Conquest – thanks to an award of £4,420,527 (around €5.3 million) from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, £150,000 (€180,000) from the Art Fund, along with smaller contributions from the Friends of The Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society.