Major Norman Conquest coin hoard secured for the UK

22/10/2024

A large pile of silver coins on a black background

The Chew Valley Hoard. Credit: © British Museum.

The Chew Valley Hoard, which at £4.3million is the highest valued treasure find on record, has been acquired by the South West Heritage Trust thanks to National Lottery funding.

The unprecedented hoard of coins consists of 2,584 silver pennies from 1066–68, likely buried for safekeeping in the turmoil of the Norman Conquest of England.

Our funding of £4,420,527 together with £150,000 from Art Fund, has enabled the acquisition and a project to engage audiences with the hoard. Other supporters included Friends of The Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society.

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

A remarkable find

The hoard is one of the most remarkable finds reported under the Treasure Act 1996.

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.

Amal Khreisheh leans over a table displaying rows of coins from the Chew Valley Hoard — Curator of Archaeology at the South West Heritage Trust, Amal Khreisheh. Credit: © South West Heritage Trust.

Keeping our heritage safe

The coins come from a turning point in English history. They cover the transition from Saxon to Norman rule marked by 1066 and were probably deposited for safekeeping during rebellions in the south west against the new Norman king, William I (also known as William the Conqueror). While slightly over half the coins feature William I, just under half show Harold II, the last crowned Saxon king of England.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support the acquisition of the Chew Valley Hoard, and the plans to share its fascinating heritage with audiences across the UK before it returns to the south west where we are funding a permanent home at The Museum of Somerset.

"The National Lottery Heritage Fund celebrates its 30th anniversary next month so it is incredibly exciting that this treasure will be part of the story of three decades of National Lottery funding for heritage.

“Thanks to funding from National Lottery players this incredible hoard will be valued, cared for, and sustained, for everyone, now and in the future.”