Nonprofit buys detector treasure for more than $100 million

The South West Heritage Trust has purchased a treasure trove of 2,584 silver coins dating back to the Norman Conquest of England for the nation. The set, discovered by seven detectorists in the Chew Valley in Somerset, was sold for an asking price of £4.3 million (about 130.5 million crowns). It is the most expensive treasure purchase ever made in England; more expensive than the world-famous Staffordshire hoard.

The coin was discovered by seven detectorists in January 2019 when Lisa Grace and Adam Staples trained five novice prospectors with metal detectors. At one point, one of the novices discovered the first William the Conqueror penny. The others reported other coins. Over the next five hours, together they dug up a bucketful of silver coins. They then reported the find to the British Museum's PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme).

The Chew Valley hoard consists of 1,343 silver pennies of William the Conqueror (1066 - 1087) and 1,240 silver coins of the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold II. (All coins date from 1066 to 1068. The discovery of Harold's coins has doubled the previously known number of coins of this monarch. The coinage of William I represents a fivefold increase over the previously known coins issued two years after his coronation in 1066.

It is the largest hoard of coins from the period immediately after the Norman Conquest ever discovered in England. It is also the largest Norman hoard since 1833. The hoard was deposited around 1068 on land belonging to a chaplain of King Edward III. Confessor, Bishop of Wells. At that time Chew Valley was involved in an anti-government rebellion led by Harold's sons.

"It's fantastic, unbelievable," Adam Staples told the Guardian on Monday. "It was a sense of awe. To find one coin was great. Then within minutes a couple more, then 10 coins, 50 coins. It just kept adding up. And your emotions just multiplied. It definitely changed my life. It was like holding history in my hand. And, of course, the financial aspect is great, too," said Staples, an auction house operator specializing in old coins.

The South West Heritage Trust described the hoard as one of the most remarkable ever found. It dates from a pivotal period in English history - the transition from Saxon to Norman rule just after the Battle of Hastings: "The treasure symbolises a pivotal moment in English history and we are delighted to have made this acquisition for future generations to enjoy. It highlights the power of museums, collections and stories to inspire people and communities. This has been made possible by a wide range of partners working together to ensure our heritage is protected and accessible for everyone," said Sam Astill, Chief Executive of South West Heritage Trust.

The organisation raised the money for the purchase thanks to a huge grant of £4,420,527 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £150,000 from the Art Fund. The sum will be split in two, with one half going to the landowner and the other split between seven finders.

The set will be on display at the British Museum from 26 November, after which it will be exhibited at various British museums, including Bath near the site of the find. Eventually it will be permanently housed at the Somerset Museum in Taunton.

Video of the discovery

Roman Nemec

Sources: theguardian.com, swheritage.org.uk

part of the coins

Finders Lisa Grace and Adam Staples with Equinox 800 metal detectors

Just under half of the coins (1,240) are minted by Harold II, the last Saxon king of England

Just over half (1,343) are coins minted by William I 'the Conqueror', the first Norman king.

There was one coin of Edward III (1042-1066) in the set.

Editor's note: back when I had Roman's article in the admin, a friend from the UK sent us this email as well as some photos.

Hi Jana and Mark

I had the pleasure of attending this event on Monday. It was the biggest payment for a metal detector find in the UK and probably the world so far.

Ciaran

Depot tracking with a pulse metal detector Minelab GPX 500

Adam Staples and Ciaran Duffy

Adam Staples and Ciaran Duffy

BBC video