$5 Million Treasure: 2,584 Rare Silver Coins from Norman Conquest Unearthed in UK

A remarkable discovery of 2,584 silver coins from the time of the Norman Conquest has been purchased for over $5 million, making it the most valuable find ever made by treasure hunters in the United Kingdom, told the Washington Post. The coins, dating back to 1066-68, were uncovered in January 2019 by Adam Staples, Lisa Grace, and five other amateur metal detectorists in the Chew Valley, 11 miles south of Bristol.

Staples expressed pride in finding such a significant piece of history, adding that the proceeds from the sale will be shared with the landowner. The coins were acquired by the South West Heritage Trust, a UK-based organization dedicated to preserving historical sites, with funding provided by the National Lottery and the Art Fund.

The treasure will be displayed at the British Museum in London on November 26 before touring other museums across the UK, via Museum Journal. Ultimately, it will find a permanent home at the Museum of Somerset, near the location of the discovery. The charities involved described the find as “unprecedented,” and it was reported to the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme, which tracks archaeological finds made by the public.

Under the UK’s 1996 Treasure Act, discoveries like this must be reported to local authorities within 14 days. Sam Astill, CEO of the South West Heritage Trust, emphasized the importance of the acquisition, stating, “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.”

Medieval archaeologist Aleks McClain praised the decision to keep the rare collection intact, calling it a vital resource for future research on numismatics and the Norman Conquest period. “It’s vital that such a rare collection as this is kept together,” she told NBC News. Rory Naismith, a professor of early medieval history at the University of Cambridge, described the find as exciting, noting that the collection would have had the equivalent of $50,000 in modern buying power—suggesting it belonged to a wealthy group or individual.

The coins are believed to have been buried for safekeeping during the Norman Conquest, a period marked by great upheaval after William the Conqueror’s invasion of England in 1066. Naismith emphasized how finds like this provide a tangible connection to the past and enhance our understanding of the eleventh century. “They bring the past to life on a human level,” he said, noting the discovery’s significance in shedding light on the turbulent societal changes brought about by the Norman invasion.

This extraordinary find is expected to spark renewed public interest in the history of 1066 and the profound impact of the Norman Conquest on English society.