Three of the largest coin hoards found in the UK
Created | Updated Sep 11, 2020
From time to time, we hear stories of people who discovered buried treasures all over the world. The UK isn’t an exception. Many historical precious coins were unearthed in this country. In this article, I will tell you about three of the largest coin hoards ever found in the UK.
The Seaton hoard is the largest one on this list. It was discovered in November 2013 and it is composed of more than 22,000 roman coins (22,888 to be more precise!). The oldest coins in the collection were minted in AD 260, the youngest ones in AD 348. Some of these coins were specially issued to celebrate the foundation of Constantinople in AD 332. These coins were buried since then until they were discovered by Laurence Egerton when he was metal detecting in Seaton the UK.
A group of archeologists excavated the hoard. It was so large that the experts at the museum needed 10 months to clean, examine and catalog the coins. The collection is currently displayed at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum that purchased it for more than 100,000 £.
The Leominster hoard is composed of 518 coins and it is displayed at the Stockton Bury Gardens in Kimbolton, UK. It was found by two detectorists in June 2015. They were placed inside three pouches, which were stuffed with leaves. Coin experts said that they were minted in AD 270. At this time, the Roman Empire was collapsing and the situation was unstable. This explains the presence of leaves with the coins. The owner wanted to suppress the sound made by the coins when he was transporting them.
The British museum declared this find a treasure. According to the treasure act, a committee of coin experts has to estimate the value of hoard that will be split between the finders and the landowner where the treasure was found. In addition to the treasure act, the detectorist should abide by the metal detecting code of conduct.
On 21 December 2014, in Lenborough the UK, Paul Coleman discovered a hoard of 5,248 Anglo-Saxon coins with his detector. The lucky metal detectorist reported his find to the authorities. One of the experts was stunned when he received an email telling him that someone found more than 5000 historical coins. He thought it was a typo. Maybe the sender meant 50 or 500… 5000 is jaw-dropping!
The British museum examined the hoard. They said the coins are 1000 years old. This why they are super valuable despite containing only 10% silver. The coins were minted in different locations during the reign of two kings Ethelred the Unready (978–1013, 1014–1016) and Canute (1016–1035). This find was declared a treasure with an estimated value that exceeds one million £. Its value will be split between Paul and the landowner.
Seaton Hoard
The Seaton hoard is the largest one on this list. It was discovered in November 2013 and it is composed of more than 22,000 roman coins (22,888 to be more precise!). The oldest coins in the collection were minted in AD 260, the youngest ones in AD 348. Some of these coins were specially issued to celebrate the foundation of Constantinople in AD 332. These coins were buried since then until they were discovered by Laurence Egerton when he was metal detecting in Seaton the UK.
A group of archeologists excavated the hoard. It was so large that the experts at the museum needed 10 months to clean, examine and catalog the coins. The collection is currently displayed at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum that purchased it for more than 100,000 £.
Leominster Hoard
The Leominster hoard is composed of 518 coins and it is displayed at the Stockton Bury Gardens in Kimbolton, UK. It was found by two detectorists in June 2015. They were placed inside three pouches, which were stuffed with leaves. Coin experts said that they were minted in AD 270. At this time, the Roman Empire was collapsing and the situation was unstable. This explains the presence of leaves with the coins. The owner wanted to suppress the sound made by the coins when he was transporting them.
The British museum declared this find a treasure. According to the treasure act, a committee of coin experts has to estimate the value of hoard that will be split between the finders and the landowner where the treasure was found. In addition to the treasure act, the detectorist should abide by the metal detecting code of conduct.
Lenborough Hoard
On 21 December 2014, in Lenborough the UK, Paul Coleman discovered a hoard of 5,248 Anglo-Saxon coins with his detector. The lucky metal detectorist reported his find to the authorities. One of the experts was stunned when he received an email telling him that someone found more than 5000 historical coins. He thought it was a typo. Maybe the sender meant 50 or 500… 5000 is jaw-dropping!
The British museum examined the hoard. They said the coins are 1000 years old. This why they are super valuable despite containing only 10% silver. The coins were minted in different locations during the reign of two kings Ethelred the Unready (978–1013, 1014–1016) and Canute (1016–1035). This find was declared a treasure with an estimated value that exceeds one million £. Its value will be split between Paul and the landowner.
