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Metal Detectorist Unearths King Cnut's Lost Silver
20 Sep
Summary
- A hoard of 5,248 silver pennies from King Cnut's reign was discovered in 2014.
- The discovery was the largest coin treasure recorded under the Treasure Act 1996.
- The treasure was valued at £1.35 million and shared between finder and landowner.
In December 2014, metal detectorist Paul Coleman discovered an astonishing hoard of 5,248 silver pennies dating back to King Cnut's reign near Buckingham. This find at Lenborough became the largest coin treasure recorded under the Treasure Act 1996. The hoard was later valued at £1.35 million, with a significant portion of this sum granted by the Art Fund. A preliminary report in 2015 described the coins, wrapped in lead, as one of the largest Anglo-Saxon coin hoards ever found. The burial is estimated to have occurred in the latter part of Cnut's reign (1016-1035).
The composition of the hoard, including coins from King Æthelred II's reign and a rare Agnus Dei mule, provides valuable information about coinage administration during Cnut's rule. This unique Agnus Dei mule, struck in Leicester, is a particularly rare specimen. As per the Treasure Act 1996, the reward was shared equally between Paul Coleman and the landowner, reflecting the 50:50 reward rule for such significant archaeological discoveries.
