Historic Coin Hoard to Go on Display in Bath Before Permanently Being Showcased
A significant hoard of 2,584 silver coins dating back nearly a thousand years is set to return to the southwest of England. The Chew Valley Hoard, which includes coins from just after the Norman conquest, will be displayed at the Roman Baths Museum in Bath before being relocated to a temporary exhibition space at the Museum of Somerset.
The hoard was discovered by metal detectorists in 2019 and subsequently acquired for the nation last year, with over £4 million worth of coins on display at the British Museum. The current temporary display will run from January to March 2027, followed by a move to Taunton.
According to Sam Astill, chief executive of South West Heritage Trust, which owns the hoard, the exhibit is not just about showcasing the valuable coins but also providing an opportunity for visitors to reflect on the significance of these coins in relation to broader historical themes. The display will explore how the world continues to grapple with issues of conflict, power and money.
The hoard is particularly significant as it features over 100 mints from various locations across England, including Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Hastings, and London, and represents a range of coin designs, including those from Harold II and William the Conqueror. The coins were buried in a valley for safekeeping during a time of turmoil following the Norman conquest.
Astill noted that many people have a general understanding of 1066 and the Battle of Hastings but may be less familiar with the period that followed, which was marked by significant upheaval and rebellion in the southwest.
The display will also aim to spark conversations about turning points in history or individual lives. Astill suggested that visitors would be encouraged to imagine what it might have been like for people living during this time period when the ruling class had been abolished and there was a sense of uncertainty about the future.
The project has received £993,345 in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the ultimate goal of creating a permanent gallery for the hoard at the Museum of Somerset. The display is expected to be a significant event for the local community and will bring the valuable coins back home to the southwest of England.
A significant hoard of 2,584 silver coins dating back nearly a thousand years is set to return to the southwest of England. The Chew Valley Hoard, which includes coins from just after the Norman conquest, will be displayed at the Roman Baths Museum in Bath before being relocated to a temporary exhibition space at the Museum of Somerset.
The hoard was discovered by metal detectorists in 2019 and subsequently acquired for the nation last year, with over £4 million worth of coins on display at the British Museum. The current temporary display will run from January to March 2027, followed by a move to Taunton.
According to Sam Astill, chief executive of South West Heritage Trust, which owns the hoard, the exhibit is not just about showcasing the valuable coins but also providing an opportunity for visitors to reflect on the significance of these coins in relation to broader historical themes. The display will explore how the world continues to grapple with issues of conflict, power and money.
The hoard is particularly significant as it features over 100 mints from various locations across England, including Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Hastings, and London, and represents a range of coin designs, including those from Harold II and William the Conqueror. The coins were buried in a valley for safekeeping during a time of turmoil following the Norman conquest.
Astill noted that many people have a general understanding of 1066 and the Battle of Hastings but may be less familiar with the period that followed, which was marked by significant upheaval and rebellion in the southwest.
The display will also aim to spark conversations about turning points in history or individual lives. Astill suggested that visitors would be encouraged to imagine what it might have been like for people living during this time period when the ruling class had been abolished and there was a sense of uncertainty about the future.
The project has received £993,345 in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the ultimate goal of creating a permanent gallery for the hoard at the Museum of Somerset. The display is expected to be a significant event for the local community and will bring the valuable coins back home to the southwest of England.
️ 2k yrs old coins in bath 
what a treasure trove! 
i mean, we all know about 1066 & Hastings but like what happened AFTER that? 
should be interesting to see how it's displayed 
they're gonna explore power, money & conflict too - gotta spark some convo! 
also the fact that it features coins from various mints in england is mind-blowing 
can't wait to see it in person 
, I'm so done with these temporary exhibitions! Can't they just keep the whole thing in one place like at the British Museum where it's more convenient for us visitors? The Roman Baths Museum is gonna be crazy busy with all the tourists trying to see this historic coin hoard... and now it's moving again to Taunton?! 
The fact that there's 100 mints from various locations across England and they're showcasing over 2k coins is already pretty cool. Why do they need to make it more complicated than that?
it's wild to think about the world back then, like Harold II and William the Conqueror were actual people who got coins stamped on their faces. 
I'm sure it's gonna be a fascinating exhibit, all about how history is still relevant today. And yeah, maybe we can learn from what happened in that time period, like how quickly things can change and how important it is to stay grounded 
It's mind-blowing to think about the historical significance of these 2,584 silver coins dating back nearly a thousand years. The fact that they feature over 100 mints from various locations across England is just incredible. I'm really interested in how this exhibit will explore broader themes such as conflict, power and money - it's like we're getting a glimpse into the complexities of human history. 
I think it's super cool that they're showing off this huge collection of ancient coins in Bath, especially since it has such a rich history there already 
. It's gonna be awesome for visitors to learn about the significance of these coins and how they relate to broader themes like power and money 
It's also great that the community is going to get to see the hoard again after it was temporarily in London 
. The fact that it's being displayed at two different places before going permanent is a nice touch too, so people can see it twice! 
. The fact that there are over 100 mints represented from different parts of England is just mind-blowing 
I mean, I guess it's cool that they're showing off some old coins, but can't we do something a bit more...substantial? Like, have you seen the state of the Roman Baths themselves? They're always crowded and the bathrooms are tiny 
. And now we're going to bring in a bunch of tourists who just want to gawk at some ancient stuff while the locals struggle to find parking 
. I swear, it's like they're not even considering the community impact before deciding to put on another overpriced display 
And how did people even bury coins for safekeeping? was it like a treasure chest or something? 
And I'm kinda curious about what it would've been like for people living during this time when their lives were all turned upside down 
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. The fact that they got £993k from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is just a bonus 
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, can't wait to see all those ancient coins up close 
. It's gonna be so cool to learn more about Harold II and William the Conqueror and their impact on England 
. I'm also intrigued by the idea of visitors being encouraged to imagine themselves living in those uncertain times, it'll be like stepping into history books 
. The fact that it's getting so much funding is awesome too, can't wait for the permanent gallery at the Museum of Somerset 
1k yrs old coin hoard 
And to be able to imagine what life was like for those people living in this tumultuous time? That's just genius. I love how the exhibit is gonna encourage conversations about history and its impact on our lives today. It's not just about old coins; it's about understanding where we came from and how that shapes who we are now.