The bulk of the coins were found by detectorists Adam Staples and Lisa Grace, who are believed to have become millionaires through the sale.(Image: BNPS)

Metal detectorists make fortune after Battle of Hastings-linked treasure bought for £4.3million

Seven metal detectorists were left thrilled after discovering more than 2,5000 silver coins from the end of Anglo-Saxon England and after the 1066 Norman conquest - that have been bought for a whopping £4.3 million

by · The Mirror

One of Britain's biggest treasure hauls has been bought for the nation for a record £4.3million, making its finders rather rich.

The once-in-a-lifetime hoard dating back 1,000 years was unearthed by seven metal detectorists in an unploughed field in 2019. The 2,584 silver coins are made up of King Harold II pennies from the end of Anglo-Saxon England and William the Conqueror coins, after the 1066 Norman conquest.

Many of the coins are in mint condition and experts say they belonged to an important, wealthy person who probably buried them for safekeeping. As Harold's reign only lasted nine months before he was famously struck in the eye by an arrow at the Battle of Hastings, coins from that period are incredibly rare.

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PICTURED: Chew Valley Hoard Issuers Edward III, Harold II and William I( Image: BritishMuseum/BNPS)

The bulk of the haul was found by Adam Staples and Lisa Grace, who are believed to have become millionaires through the sale. They had been training five friends on how to use metal detectors when they made the discovery.

The landowner, whose identity is not being revealed, is entitled to 50 per cent of the proceeds. The haul, found in the Chew Valley of Somerset, is the highest value treasure on record, beating the famous Staffordshire Hoard from 2009, which was worth £3.3m.

The treasure has been acquired by the South West Heritage Trust after they received a £4.42million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund( Image: BritishMuseum/BNPS)

It has been acquired by the South West Heritage Trust after they received a £4.42m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund that also covers display costs. This was boosted by £150,000 from the Art Fund and other grants.

The Chew Valley Hoard will go on display at the British Museum on November 26 and will then tour several venues before the Museum of Somerset becomes its permanent home. Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: "This remarkable hoard gives us unique insight into our country's rich history and one of the most important moments in our history, when these islands were thrown into turmoil by the Norman Conquest.

The couple made headlines in Treasure hunting magazine in 2019.( Image: TreasureHunting/BNPS)

"The Treasure Act 1996 ensures that these coins will be displayed in museums across the UK, giving people from different regions the opportunity to see this extraordinary treasure, learn more about our past and protect this part of our heritage for future generations."

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