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Major medieval coin hoard discovered at Sizewell C to feature on BBC Two tonight

Archaeologists have revealed that a remarkable hoard of more than 300 silver coins from the 11th century was unearthed during construction work at Suffolk's Sizewell C nuclear power station site.

Oliver Rouane-Williams

Oliver Rouane-Williams

— 2 min read
11th century silver coins wrapped in cloth and lead in a bundle

The big picture: The hoard includes 321 mint-condition silver coins dating from 1036 to 1044, spanning the reigns of Harold I, Harthacnut, and Edward the Confessor. Archaeologists believe it may have been a "savings pot" belonging to someone of middling status during a period of significant political upheaval.

A remarkable hoard of more than 300 silver coins from the 11th century was unearthed during construction work at Suffolk's Sizewell C nuclear power station site
A remarkable hoard of more than 300 silver coins from the 11th century was unearthed during construction work at Suffolk's Sizewell C nuclear power station site (Sizewell C)

By the numbers: The East of England leads treasure discoveries with 304 finds in 2023, representing 22% of the UK total, but this find was particularly notable.

  • 321 silver coins were found in total
  • The coins date from 1036-1044
  • The value would have been equivalent to a small herd of cows at the time

What they're saying: Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director at Sizewell C, called the discovery of the 11th-century coin hoard an "extraordinary find".

11th century silver coins wrapped in cloth and lead in a bundle
The coins were found wrapped in cloth and lead in a bundle described as "barely bigger than a Cornish pasty (Sizewell C)

"The Pasty, as it was immediately and affectionately named for obvious reasons, was a true privilege to find. I was shaking when I first unearthed it," said Andrew Pegg, an Archaeologist at Oxford Cotswold Archaeology (OCA) who discovered the coins.

Alexander Bliss, Coin Specialist at OCA, added: “This new coin hoard provides us with valuable insight into the rich historical backdrop of this period, adding to the evidence that Edward the Confessor’s accession to the English throne was marked by a degree of uncertainty and concern within wider society."

11th century silver coins wrapped in cloth and lead in a bundle
The coins date from 1036-1044 and would have been worth the equivalent of a small herd of cows at the time (Sizewell C)

The details:

  • The coins were found wrapped in cloth and lead in a bundle described as "barely bigger than a Cornish pasty"
  • Many were minted in London, but others came from locations including Thetford, Norwich, Ipswich, Lincoln and Stamford
  • Some rare examples originated from smaller mints in Langport and Axbridge

The bottom line: The discovery will feature on BBC Two's Digging for Britain tonight, Tuesday, 7 January, at 20:00.

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