{"id":2047,"date":"2024-10-22T08:59:50","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T07:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swheritage.org.uk\/museum-of-somerset\/?page_id=2047"},"modified":"2026-06-08T14:54:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T13:54:58","slug":"chew-valley-hoard","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/swheritage.org.uk\/museum-of-somerset\/chew-valley-hoard\/","title":{"rendered":"Chew Valley Hoard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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CHEW VALLEY HOARD<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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 \u00a34.3 million. This makes it the highest value treasure acquisition on record.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Coins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The coins represent a turning point in English history when England was successfully conquered for the last time at the Battle of Hastings, 1066.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is one coin (a mule) that features Edward III \u2018The Confessor\u2019 (1042-1066). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Represented on just under half the coins (1,240) is Harold II, also known as Harold Godwinson, (1066), the last crowned Saxon king of England.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Just over half (1,343), feature William I \u2018The Conqueror\u2019 (1066-87), the first Norman king.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The hoard contains twice as many coins of Harold II than have ever previously been found and increases nearly five times the number of known first-type coins of William I. All the coins of William I are of the very first design, issued shortly after his coronation on Christmas day 1066.
 
On one side of each coin is a portrait of the King with symbols of his authority (a crown and sceptre) and a legend made up of his name and titles. The reverse designs often carried political or religious messages. Harold II\u2019s coins carry the word \u2018PAX\u2019 or \u2018peace\u2019 and William\u2019s a cross fleury.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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On Display<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 20 June 2026: <\/strong>Every Coin Tells a Story<\/em><\/a> free, family-friendly day taking place in Chew Magna.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

January to March 2027:<\/strong> The first chance to see coins from the hoard in the South West will be at a special touring exhibition at the Roman Baths Museum, Bath<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spring 2027:<\/strong> A temporary exhibition opens at The Museum of Somerset, Taunton<\/strong>, with a diverse programme of events and activities taking place across the county.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spring 2028:<\/strong> An exciting new permanent gallery opens at The Museum of Somerset,<\/strong> where all 2,584 coins will be on display, telling the incredible story of this historic treasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe 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,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sam Astill<\/strong>, Chief Executive of the South West Heritage Trust<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n