A collection of ancient coins, initially utilized as a form of payment at a local establishment, was subsequently classified as a significant treasure and transferred to the British Museum. The hoard consists of Anglo-Saxon silver pennies bearing the reigns of Edward the Confessor and Harold II. A key finding regarding these artifacts is that none of the pieces were minted after the pivotal Battle of Hastings in 1066.
This chronological evidence suggests that the valuable collection was likely interred either shortly preceding or following the Norman invasion of England. Andrew Woodfield, a representative from the Steyning Museum, noted the ambiguity surrounding the hoard’s deposition. “We don’t know how they got there.
We don’t know if they were buried during the war… there is simply no evidence of it,” Woodfield stated, emphasizing the lack of definitive proof regarding the circumstances of the burial. The nature of the coins and their dating place the find directly within the tumultuous period surrounding the Norman conquest.
Such hoards often provide invaluable insights into the economic and social life of the Anglo-Saxon period, offering tangible links to the culture that existed before the major political upheaval of the late 11th century. The careful study of these silver pieces continues to inform historical understanding of the region.
Topics: #treasure #coins #after
