Rare stash of hundreds of 11th-century silver coins dug up in UK
Archaeologists have made a rich historical discovery in England.
A cache of mint-condition silver coins left one archaeologist “shaking” at the astonishing discovery.
The hoard of 11th-century Anglo-Saxon doubloons was dug up on the outskirts of a nuclear plant currently under construction along the Suffolk coast, according to statements released by Oxford Cotswold Archaeology (OCA) and the power station.
Experts say the buried sack of rare coins, dated between 1036 and 1044, suggests that the coronation of Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Confessor in 1042 was a tumultuous event for citizens of the regime.
A collection of 321 silver coins from 1036 to 1044, discovered in an archaeological dig at the Sizewell C development area, wrapped in lead sheeting inside a textile object. Oxford Cotswold Archaeology
Archaeologist carefully examining a hoard of 321 silver coins from the 11th century, found concealed at a medieval field boundary. Oxford Cotswold Archaeology
“I was shaking when I first unearthed it, seeing a single coin edge peeking at me! A perfect archaeological time capsule,” said OCA researcher Andrew Pegg, who made the discovery. “The information we are learning from it is stunning and I’m so proud to have added to the history of my own little part of Suffolk.”
Edward the Confessor’s turbulent reign over England was mired by political unrest as the hotheaded king exiled and confiscated the properties of all those who defied him.
The value of the stash, amounting to 320 pence, was no small savigns — allegedly enough to buy up to 16 cows at the time, according to OCA coin specialist Alexander Bliss.
“Perhaps the owner of the hoard was concerned about the new regime [or] political situation and wider social instability, taking steps to hide their wealth,” Bliss told Live Science in a satement. “There are now three hoards from this period (1042 to 1044) known across England, which strengthens the idea that the first years of Edward’s reign were not calm.”
Close-up of silver coins from between 1036 and 1044, discovered near a Suffolk power station, at the junction of two medieval field boundary ditches. Oxford Cotswold Archaeology
Researchers believe the coins’ last owner may have held influence locally and, for whatever reason, suspected Edward the Confessor would not appreciate his esteem, choosing to bury the riches just days after the new monarch took over.
Such coinage is a rare find as several pieces traced back to small and lesser known mints accross rural England. Rarer still is the chance to learn about Anglo Saxon ancestors’ strenuous preservation methods. The bank had been encased in a hand-molded metal sheet made of lead, then wrapped in a swath of fabric before hiding below ground. Centuries of agricultural activity along with uninformed metal dectorists have ensured that most buried treasures such as this have already been displaced from their original capsules, investigators noted.
A researcher examining the hoard of 11th century silver coins, wrapped in lead sheeting. Oxford Cotswold Archaeology
“In this instance, preserving the pouch was very important because it forms part of the overall ‘object’ as one element of containment for the coins,” Bliss explained. “We also wanted to understand whether the lead was just a piece of sheet or had been detached from a larger object.”
There are a few reasons why the coins were never retrieved. The owner maybe have died before getting the chance. “They might alternatively have been prevented from recovering them due to other means, for example if they left or were exiled from the country and were unable to return,” Bliss added.
