The UK’s Highest Value Treasure Find Ever Discovered

The acquisition and associated engagement project are made possible thanks to the generous support of a £4,420,527 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £150,000 from Art Fund, alongside smaller but vital grants from the Friends of the Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society.

From 26 November 2024 coins from the hoard will go on display at the British Museum. They will later be displayed at museums across the UK, including in Bath, before finding a permanent home at the Museum of Somerset.

The hoard is one of the most remarkable finds reported under the Treasure Act 1996, administered by the Treasure Registry at the British Museum on behalf of the Department for Culture Media and Sport. It was discovered on 26 January 2019 by seven finders while metal detecting in the Chew Valley area of Bath and North East Somerset. They reported the find via the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme, which records archaeological finds made by the public and also handles the local reporting of Treasure finds.

The hoard comes from a turning point in English history. It covers the transition from Saxon to Norman rule marked by 1066 and was probably deposited for safekeeping during rebellions in the southwest against the new Norman king, William I (‘the Conqueror’). It is famously recorded that ‘Exeter was the first town to fight for its liberty’ against Norman rule. Represented on just under half the coins is Harold II (1066) the last crowned Saxon king of England. Just over half feature William I (r. 1066–87).

Further Details on the Circumstances of the Find

An article in The Guardian provides more detailed information about the discovery than the British Museum’s press release. It states that a group of friends with experience in working with detectors planned to spend a relaxed weekend in Somerset in January 2019. One of them wanted to demonstrate how his new metal detector worked, and afterward, they planned to have a few beers at the local pub. The weather wasn’t ideal; it was stormy, and the field was very muddy. Still, soon the first coin emerged. The detector kept beeping, and soon they had to use a bucket padded with a raincoat to gather all the coins. By the end of the day, they had found around 2,400 coins. That’s how quickly history can be made.

Further Details on the Coins

The website of the South West Heritage Trust provides more detailed information about the coins which illustrate the special character of the hoard. According to their site, it contains “twice as many coins of Harold II than have ever previously been found and increases nearly five times the number of known first-type coins of William I.”

The Guardian states that around 100 moneyers from 46 mints are represented in the treasure. Among the mints are places like Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Hastings, Ipswich, London, and York. The coins of Harold II mainly come from mints in Southeast England, which, according to The Guardian, may indicate financial preparations for the Norman invasion.

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. 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.”

The South West Heritage Trust has been awarded £4,420,527 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to acquire the hoard and will be able to apply for a further grant at a later date for an engagement programme and the permanent display of the hoard at the Museum of Somerset.