Thirty six silver coins, some dating back to AD978 provide a rare chance to study the currencies side by side.
The find was declared treasure by Deputy Coroner of Inquests, Rebecca Cubbon.
Discovered in May by John Crowe and David O’Hare whilst metal detecting, the discovery marks the second treasure inquest on the Island in 2024.
Manx National Heritage said: “The majority were minted during the reign of Edward the Confessor (AD 1042 to 1066) with the English kings Aethelred II (AD 978 – 1016) and Canute (AD 1016 to 1035) also represented.
“There are various English mints represented, including York, London, Lincoln, Cambridge, Hastings, Ipswich and Exeter.
“The Irish coins date from the middle of decades of AD 1000 and were all minted in Dublin. They feature the profile of King Sihtric Silkbeard who served as Norse King of Dublin from AD 989 to 1036. Based on the latest English coins in the find, the hoard was abandoned shortly before AD 1070.”
It added that the hoard was “likely assembled in two or more stages, with the earlier English and Irish coins deposited together in the first instance, and the later coins dating to Edward the Confessor added later”.
Combined, the hoards provide a rare chance to study the contents side by side, right down to the detail of the dies used to strike the coins. Having this much closely dated comparative material from separate finds is highly unusual.”
Dr Bornholdt Collins
The Treasure Act
When finds of archaeological artefacts are made on the Isle of Man there is a legal requirement to report them to Manx National Heritage. If the artefacts fall under the categories in the Treasure Act 2017 (which include being so closely connected with Manx history and national life that their loss would be a misfortune, and/or being of outstanding significance for the study of any branch of Manx art, learning or history) the find must also be reported to the Coroner of Inquests. The Coroner decides whether or not an artefact is “Treasure”.
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