Hoard of 11th-century coins valued over $5 million to be on display at British museum
The coins were discovered by seven friends in the Chew Valley area in 2019.
Discovered by a group of friends five years ago, an unprecedented hoard of 11th-century coins, valued at $5.58 million, will soon to be on display at The British Museum in London.
On Tuesday, the South West Heritage Trust, an English charity that aims to preserve the region's history, purchased 2,584 silver pennies dating back to 1066-1068. The hoard is valued at about $5.58 million, according to a news release from The British Museum.
The coins are from the time of the Norman Conquest of England, an 11th-century invasion of England by Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror. The coins were likely deposited in the ground for safekeeping during the battles, the news release states. Just under half of the coins depict the face of Harold II, the last crowned Saxon king of England. The others feature William.
“The hoard symbolizes 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," South West Heritage Trust Chief Executive Sam Astill said in the news release. "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 acquisition of the hoard was made possible, the news release states, by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which provided a $5.7 million grant, and Art Fund, which provided a grant just over $194,000. The Friends of the Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society also provided financial support.
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When will the coins be on display?
Starting Nov. 26, the hoard will be on display at The British Museum, before moving to other museums across the U.K., according to the news release. The coins will then find its permanent home at the Museum of Somerset, located west of London.
Who found the coins?
The coin hoard was discovered in 2019 by Adam Staples and six of his friends in the Chew Valley area of Bath and North East Somerset, according to the Associated Press. The friends reported the findings to The British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme, which allows members of the public to record archaeological finds.
Paste BN has reached out to Staples for comment.
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