A hoard of 2,584 silver coins dating back nearly a thousand years has been confirmed as the most valuable treasure ever discovered in Britain. The collection, known as the Chew Valley Hoard, is valued at £4.3 million (approximately $5.6 million) and offers remarkable insight into the turbulent period following the Norman Conquest of England.
Discovered in January 2019 by a group of seven metal detector enthusiasts in the Chew Valley area of northern Somerset, southwest England, the hoard has taken several years to make its way through Britain's system for handling amateur archaeological finds, according to The New York Times. The South West Heritage Trust has acquired the treasure with funding from the National Lottery and the charitable partnership Art Fund.
The hoard consists of silver pennies minted between 1066 and 1068, a critical period in British history just after the Battle of Hastings. The coins feature depictions of both William the Conqueror and Harold II, representing a turning point in English history when the Saxon monarchy was replaced by Norman French rulers. "Each coin tells a story of power, conflict, and change," stated Amal Khreisheh, curator of archaeology at the South West Heritage Trust, as reported by La Opinión.
Michael Lewis, director of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, described the hoard as "one of the most spectacular finds" in recent years, noting that "its story has not yet been fully unraveled," according to Proceso [https://www.proceso.com.mx/internacional/2024/10/22/tesoro-de-monedas-enterradas-hace-mas-de-mil-anos-encontradas-en-inglaterra-se-vende-en-56-mdd-338963.html]. He emphasized that the treasure "helps us tell a different story, one that has more nuance."
The coins are remarkably similar whether they were minted before or after the conquest, reflecting the complex transition of traditions amid political upheaval. One side of the coins shows a monarch's head in profile, while the other side displays an emblem. An elaborate cross represents King William I, while the somewhat ironic word "pax" (peace) represents Harold II.
Amal Khreisheh suggested that the coins were likely buried for safekeeping during local rebellions against Norman rule. "We know that in 1068, the people of Exeter rebelled against William," she said. "At that time, the sons of Harold returned from exile in Ireland, and their forces launched attacks around the River Avon and then into Somerset and the Chew Valley. So they were probably hidden in that context."
The discoverer, Adam Staples, had dedicated years to the hobby of metal detecting. "It's like winning the lottery," he said. "I don't think I'll give up now. I love it." The seven treasure hunters who found the hoard will share their portion equally, while the landowner, whose identity has not been revealed, will receive half of the proceeds from the sale, as per *Youm7*.
Under the Treasure Act of 1996, anyone who finds historic gold, silver, or other precious items must inform the local coroner. If a coroner declares it treasure, the hoard becomes property of the government, and museums can bid for funding to acquire it.
The coins will be exhibited at the British Museum in London, and will later tour museums throughout the UK, including the city of Bath, before finding a permanent home at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton in 2026. This tour will allow people from different regions to discover the importance of this find and its connection to British history.
The South West Heritage Trust stated that the treasure dates back to a turning point in English history—a transitional period from Saxon rule to Norman rule immediately after the Battle of Hastings. The collection offers a nuanced view of the historic period and reflects a tumultuous time in the history of England.
Michael Lewis remarked, "Most of us are taught about the Norman Conquest of England at school, probably because it was the last time that England was successfully conquered." "But it's a story based on certain myths," he added, such as the notion that the battle was "English versus French," or "good" Saxons against "bad" Normans.
The Chew Valley Hoard includes an exceptional number of coins from the reign of Harold II. About 100 moneyers—the persons responsible for producing the coins—are represented from 46 mints, including Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Hastings, Ipswich, London, and York, some of which coined the William I coins, as noted by La Nación.
Ian Richardson, the senior treasure registrar at the British Museum, said of the coins: "They have the information on them as to where they were produced, where they were minted, but also the individual person responsible," reported The New York Times.
The discovery not only represents a significant economic value but also an invaluable legacy for the understanding of English history. "Each coin is a testament to the political change that transformed England during the Norman Conquest," wrote OK Diario.
The proceeds from the hoard are to be split between the detectorists and the landowner. "We all agreed to share it and we're happy with the agreement," Adam Staples, who runs an auction house specializing in ancient coins, said, according to Clarín. He told BBC News that he "got a few hundred thousand pounds out of it" and used the money to buy a house, as reported by CBS News.
For Adam Staples, the end result justified the process. "I've got no complaints. It's a great result," he told The New York Times.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq