Seven Friends in Search of 'Lost Metal' Stumble Upon Most Valuable Treasure Ever Found in Britain
Seven metal detectorists stumbled upon an unexpected treasure hoard in 2019 in the United Kingdom. The treasure was sold to a museum and the reward was shared amongst the landowner and the seven friends, Popular Mechanics reported.
The treasure that was named 'Chew Valley Hoard' contained 2,584 silver pennies, featuring images of prominent kings. The coins were sold for $5.6 million, which makes it the highest-valued treasure ever found in the UK.
The metal detectorists found the treasure on January 26, 2019, while trying to locate metals in the Chew Valley area of Bath and North East Somerset, BBC reported. Lisa Grace and Adam Staples, two people from the team, unearthed the bulk of the treasure.
Staples was overjoyed by the finding. "I've found lots of amazing things but to see something like this coming up and realize you've finally hit the big one, it's just a dream come true," he said.
The team followed the regulations of the Treasure Act 1996 and reported the finding to the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme, Popular Mechanics reported. A committee was put together to set the value of the treasure. South West Heritage Trust purchased the hoard with help from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Art Fund, along with smaller grants.
Researchers believe the treasure was buried in the area for safekeeping during the Norman conquest. According to experts, the treasure could have been buried during the transfer of rule. "We know that the people of Exeter rebelled against William in 1068 and that Harold’s sons, who were in exile in Ireland, came back and started mounting attacks along the River Avon down into Somerset,” said Amal Khreisheh, curator of archaeology at the South West Heritage Trust. "So, it’s probably against that background they were hidden."
Authorities are ecstatic to get their hands on these silver coins, which belong to a prominent period of England's history, BBC reported. Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant said, "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."
As per experts, the coin dates between 1066 and 1068, Popular Mechanics reported. They are a mix of Saxon and Norman currency, effectively reflecting the time when England entered into their Norman ruling period. The coins either feature Harold II of 1066, the last crowned Saxon king of England, or William I (also known as William the Conqueror), the first Norman king.
Apart from the kings, there is not much difference between the two types of coins. There is an emblem on the other side of the kings' images, with an elaborate cross for William and the word ‘peace’—written as ‘pax’—for Harold.
The coins will be on display in the British Museum from 26 November 2024 and will be moved to the Museum of Somerset in 2026.