Rare coins ‘buried in year of Battle of Hastings’ & found in Essex field set to sell for eye-watering amount at auction
RARE coins thought to have been buried in 1066 — the year of the Battle of Hastings — are expected to sell for £180,000.
The 122 Anglo-Saxon pennies were in a hoard of 144 — worth 12 shillings 950 years ago — found in an Essex field by two metal detectorists in 2019 and 2020.
One silver coin was detected only 4in deep.
Auctioneer Bradley Hopper said their owner might have died in battle.
He added: “Twelve shillings was a considerable sum.
“Its retrieval must’ve been prevented by some great personal misfortune.
“We can’t say with certainty the hoard’s owner died at Hastings — but it’s a tantalising possibility.”
Museums bought 16 of the coins found near Braintree.
And 122 others — including a Harold II penny — go under the hammer in London next week.
Profits go to the finders and field owner.