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Largest Anglo-Saxon gold coin hoard found in Norfolk Largest Anglo-Saxon gold coin hoard found in Norfolk
(32 minutes later)
All the coins were found in a single field. Its owner and the detectorist who found the majority wish to remain anonymousAll the coins were found in a single field. Its owner and the detectorist who found the majority wish to remain anonymous
Metal detectorists unearthed the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold coins to be found in England, it has emerged.Metal detectorists unearthed the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold coins to be found in England, it has emerged.
Four gold objects were discovered with 131 coins in a field in west Norfolk, most by the same detectorist who notified the appropriate authorities.Four gold objects were discovered with 131 coins in a field in west Norfolk, most by the same detectorist who notified the appropriate authorities.
Ten coins were found by a serving police officer who tried to sell them and was jailed for 16 months.Ten coins were found by a serving police officer who tried to sell them and was jailed for 16 months.
A treasure inquest has been opened into the "internationally-significant" find, which Norwich Castle hopes to acquire.A treasure inquest has been opened into the "internationally-significant" find, which Norwich Castle hopes to acquire.
Gareth Williams, curator of early medieval coins at the British Museum, said the "hugely important find", which dates to the same era as the Sutton Hoo ship burial near Woodbridge in Suffolk, is "the largest coin hoard of the period known to date".Gareth Williams, curator of early medieval coins at the British Museum, said the "hugely important find", which dates to the same era as the Sutton Hoo ship burial near Woodbridge in Suffolk, is "the largest coin hoard of the period known to date".
It is the most important hoard found in Norfolk "by a long way", according to coin expert Adrian MarsdenIt is the most important hoard found in Norfolk "by a long way", according to coin expert Adrian Marsden
The first coin was discovered in 1991, but it was not in until 2014 that further coins, dating to about AD610, were found. The first coin was discovered in 1991, but it was not until 2014 that further coins, dating to about AD610, were found.
Some were minted in the Byzantine empire, but most were from the Merovingian kingdom, which broadly corresponds to modern day France.Some were minted in the Byzantine empire, but most were from the Merovingian kingdom, which broadly corresponds to modern day France.
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Numismatist Adrian Marsden, from the Norfolk Historic Environment Service, said: "All the coins were minted on the continent, as we didn't have gold coins of our own then."Numismatist Adrian Marsden, from the Norfolk Historic Environment Service, said: "All the coins were minted on the continent, as we didn't have gold coins of our own then."
This includes coins cast from the same die in the same workshop as those found in a purse at the Sutton Hoo.This includes coins cast from the same die in the same workshop as those found in a purse at the Sutton Hoo.
A stamped gold pendant, a gold bar and two other pieces of gold were found at the same time, suggesting the hoard should be seen as bullion, valued by weight rather than face value.A stamped gold pendant, a gold bar and two other pieces of gold were found at the same time, suggesting the hoard should be seen as bullion, valued by weight rather than face value.
Dr Marsden said: "It seems to have been built up by someone moving around the Merovingian kingdom.Dr Marsden said: "It seems to have been built up by someone moving around the Merovingian kingdom.
"And as it was found near an Anglo-Saxon cemetery, it may have been buried in a barrow (burial) and scattered by centuries of ploughing.""And as it was found near an Anglo-Saxon cemetery, it may have been buried in a barrow (burial) and scattered by centuries of ploughing."
The hoard includes coins not previously known to experts and another that was only known through a drawing in a book dating to 1666 but has since been lost.The hoard includes coins not previously known to experts and another that was only known through a drawing in a book dating to 1666 but has since been lost.
The previous largest Anglo-Saxon coin hoard - 101 coins in a purse - was found at Crondall in Hampshire in 1828.The previous largest Anglo-Saxon coin hoard - 101 coins in a purse - was found at Crondall in Hampshire in 1828.
The Staffordshire hoard, discovered in 2009 and dating to the mid-7th Century, does not include coins.The Staffordshire hoard, discovered in 2009 and dating to the mid-7th Century, does not include coins.
Norwich Castle and Art Gallery curator Tim Pestell described is as an "internationally-significant find" which "reflects the wealth and continental connections enjoyed by the early Kingdom of East Anglia."Norwich Castle and Art Gallery curator Tim Pestell described is as an "internationally-significant find" which "reflects the wealth and continental connections enjoyed by the early Kingdom of East Anglia."
The coins are mostly at least 85% gold, according to Dr MarsdenThe coins are mostly at least 85% gold, according to Dr Marsden
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