Uncovering the Chew Valley Hoard: A Significant Discovery in English History

Uncovering the Chew Valley Hoard: A Treasure of Historical Significance

Uncovering the Chew Valley Hoard: A Treasure of Historical Significance

The South West Heritage Trust has successfully secured an extraordinary hoard of coins, marking a significant moment in the preservation of England’s rich history. Discovered by a group of dedicated metal detectorists, the treasure will be shared between the finders and the landowner. This remarkable collection, known as the Chew Valley Hoard, was unearthed on 26 January 2019 during a metal detecting excursion in the picturesque Chew Valley, located in Bath and North East Somerset.

According to Sam Astill, the chief executive of the South West Heritage Trust, “The hoard symbolises 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.” Lisa Grace and Adam Staples, two of the seven friends who discovered the majority of the coins during that unforgettable weekend, have expressed how surreal it felt to unearth such a historically significant treasure.

Amal Khreisheh, the curator of archaeology at the South West Heritage Trust, proudly showcases some of the coins that were found. But what exactly qualifies as “treasure” in the UK?

Under the Treasure Act of 1996, individuals who discover potential treasure must notify their local coroner. The Act provides various definitions of treasure, which include prehistoric items, coins composed of gold or silver that are at least 300 years old, and more contemporary valuable objects that have been deliberately hidden.

If a find is classified as treasure, the discoverer is not permitted to sell it to the highest bidder or keep it as a decorative piece for their home. Instead, they must offer it for sale to a museum at a price determined by the British Museum’s Treasure Valuation Committee.

Starting from 26 November, coins from the Chew Valley Hoard will be on display at the British Museum, after which they will tour various museums across the UK, including Bath, and eventually find a permanent residence at the Museum of Somerset.

Experts surmise that these coins were buried for safekeeping during the tumultuous period of the Norman Conquest. Notably, nearly half of the coins feature Harold II, the last crowned Saxon king of England, who reigned in 1066, while the remaining coins depict William I, who ruled from 1066 to 1087. Additionally, one coin features Edward ‘The Confessor’.

These coins, showcasing the images of Harold II, William I, and Edward III, offer a glimpse into a transformative period in English history. UK Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant remarked, “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.”

Uncovering the Chew Valley Hoard: A Significant Discovery in English History

The South West Heritage Trust was able to purchase this extraordinary coin hoard—the largest discovered in the UK from the era following the Norman Conquest—thanks to a generous award of £4,420,527 (approximately €5.3 million) from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside £150,000 (€180,000) from the Art Fund and additional contributions from the Friends of The Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society.

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