An unprecedented hoard of coins, from the time of the Norman Conquest of England, has been acquired for the nation by the South West Heritage Trust thanks to major funding including from the National Lottery and Art Fund.
The Chew Valley Hoard is the largest coin hoard ever found from the period of turmoil immediately following the Norman Conquest. It consists of 2,584 silver pennies from the period c. 1066-68, and was likely buried for safekeeping in the turmoil of the Conquest. 
The Treasure Valuation Committee established the value of the hoard at £4.3 million. This makes it the highest value treasure acquisition on record. It was discovered on 26 January 2019 by seven finders while metal detecting in the Chew Valley area of Bath and North East Somerset.
Sam Astill, Chief Executive of the South West Heritage Trust said: “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.
“It highlights the power of museums, collections and stories to inspire people and communities and has been made possible thanks to a wide range of partners working together to ensure our heritage is protected and accessible for everyone.”
From November 26, coins from the hoard will go on display at the British Museum. They will later be displayed at museums across the UK, including in Bath, before finding a permanent home at The Museum of Somerset.
The project to save the hoard for the nation would not have been possible without the collaboration of the following partners: The South West Heritage Trust, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Art Fund, Somerset Council, The British Museum, The Department for Culture Media and Sport, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society and the Friends of The Museum of Somerset.
Visit swheritage.org.uk to read more.
South West Heritage Trust Curator of Archaeology, Amal Khreisheh, is pictured on the main page.
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