The hoard was discovered on 26 January 2019 by seven finders while metal detecting with the permission of the landowner in the Chew Valley area of Bath and North East Somerset. The coins were found without a container and had been scattered by the plough.  The find was reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme and deposited by the finders with the British Museum. The coins were cleaned by the Conservation department at the British Museum to enable identification and cataloguing.

The Hoard was buried in 1067/8 on an estate later belonging to Giso, Bishop of Wells. It was probably buried for safekeeping during a period of instability, immediately following the Norman Conquest in 1066. In 1068, the people of Exeter rebelled against Norman rule. This seems to have been encouraged by Harold’s mother, Gytha, in favour of Harold’s sons. Harold’s sons had returned from exile in Ireland mounting attacks at the mouth of the Avon and on Bristol. Their forces also entered Somerset, including the Chew Valley.

Around 100 moneyers (person in charge of producing coins at a mint) and 46 mints are represented within the Chew Valley Hoard. The moneyers are some of the earliest named people known at particular places. The mints represented within the Chew Valley Hoard are Bath, Bedford, Bedwyn, Bridport, Bristol, Bury St Edmunds, Canterbury, Chester, Chichester, Colchester, Cricklade, Derby, Dorchester, Dover, Exeter, Gloucester, Guildford, Hastings, Hereford, Ilchester, Ipswich, Leicester, Lewes, Lincoln, London, Maldon, Malmesbury, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Salisbury, Shaftesbury, Shrewsbury, Southwark, Steyning, Taunton, Thetford, Wallingford, Wareham, Warwick, Wilton, Winchcombe, Winchester (the capital of England at the time), Worcester and York.

As well as giving the name of the issuer (King) on the obverse, the moneyer and the mint are inscribed on the reverse of each coin.

Above: This coin was issued by Harold II and made at the Hastings mint. The moneyer is named on the coin as Theodred

Above: This coin was issued by Harold II and minted at Winchester, the capital of England at the time. The moneyer is named on the coin as Leofwold.

Above: This coin was issued by William I and made at the Taunton mint. The moneyer is named on the coin as Brihtric.

The Chew Valley Hoard is the largest coin hoard ever found from the period of turmoil immediately following the Norman Conquest. It represents a turning point in English history (when England was successfully conquered for the last time) and a moment that defined national consciousness. In addition to its national importance, it is a unique find for South West England. The Treasure Valuation Committee recommended a value of £4.3 million for the hoard to the Secretary of State. This is based principally on its historical significance, the uniqueness of the find, the condition and collectibility of the coins and rarity of particular examples, rather than the intrinsic value of the silver. The valuation is what the Treasure Valuation Committee expects the Hoard would achieve in a sale on the open market.

The hoard is one of the most remarkable finds reported under the Treasure Act 1996, administered by the Treasury Registry at the British Museum on behalf of the Department for Culture Media and Sport. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, anyone who discovers potential Treasure has a legal obligation to report such items under the Treasure Act 1996. The Chew Valley Hoard qualifies as Treasure because it contains two or more precious metal coins that are over 300 years old. The Secretary of State accepted the Treasure Valuation Committee’s recommendation of £4.3 million for the value of the hoard. It was the responsibility of the South West Heritage Trust, the acquiring institution, to raise this money to be paid as a reward to the landowner and finders, who split the financial proceeds 50/50.

October 2024 – The acquisition and associated engagement project are made possible thanks to the generous support of a £4,420,527 development grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £150,000 from Art Fund, alongside smaller but vital grants from the Friends of The Museum of Somerset, the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society and funds from the South West Heritage Trust itself. December 2025 – The National Lottery Heritage Fund made a £993,345 delivery grant to deliver an ambitious two-year engagement project to celebrate the Chew Valley Hoard and mark the 1,000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth (in 2027).The project includes a dynamic two-year community engagement programme featuring activities, exhibitions, learning opportunities and events that will open up wider public access to this remarkable archaeological discovery. The project includes the creation of a new interactive gallery to permanently display all 2,584 coins.