The Most Valuable Treasure Ever Found In England Was Just Sold For $5.6 Million Dollars
In 2019, a group of seven metal detectorists in the Chew Valley of southern England discovered a hoard of silver coins dating back nearly 1,000 years to the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
The coins include rare pieces minted during the turbulent period, which ended with William the Conqueror crowned as the first Norman king of England. According to experts, the coins were likely stashed away in a secret spot during the chaos.
Now, the South West Heritage Trust has purchased the collection for a whopping $5.6 million, making it the most valuable treasure ever found in England.
On January 26, 2019, seven metal detectorists were combing through a field in Chew Valley when they uncovered 2,584 silver coins.
“It was totally unbelievable—to find one would be an exceptional day metal detecting,” said Adam Staples, the metal detectorist who found the majority of the hoard.
“To find two unrelated coins would be almost impossible. And when there were more beeps, from two to 10, from 50 to 100, to wow how many are there? From then on, it was just crazy.”
The group reported the discovery to the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme, a program that allows the public to share any archaeological finds.
Once experts examined the coins, they were able to confirm that the currency was from the Norman Conquest of England almost 1,000 years ago.
The Norman Conquest began in 1066 following the death of the Anglo-Saxon king, Edward the Confessor. The French Normans were led by William the Conqueror of Normandy.
ProstoSvet – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person – pictured above a man uses a metal detector and holds a shovel
They crossed the English Channel and took control of the English throne. The events were immortalized in the Bayeux Tapestry, one of English history’s most important artifacts.
About half of the coins in the collection feature William the Conqueror. The other half depicts the portraits of Harold II, the last Saxon king of England. He ruled for only nine months after Edward the Confessor died. Only one coin displays Edward’s likeness.
The coins were probably buried for safekeeping as fights broke out in southern England. They remained underground for nearly an entire millennium.
Ever since the hoard was discovered, experts have been meticulously studying and restoring them. Recently, the South West Heritage Trust purchased the coins for $5.6 million.
The proceeds will go to the metal detectorists and the owner of the land on which the artifacts were found.
The coins are scheduled to appear in museums across the country before finally arriving at their permanent home in the Museum of Somerset in Taunton, where people can visit them year-round.
“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,” stated Sir Chris Bryant, England’s Heritage Minister.
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