Mr. Staples had gathered with six friends that day in 2019 to try out a new metal detector, part of a hobby in which he had indulged for years. But everyone realized, looking down at the pieces of old metal: This find could change their lives. Everyone, that is, except the farmer.

In early 2019, seven metal detectorists found a cache of 2,584 coins dating to the Norman Conquest in southern England. Now, the nearly 1,000-year-old silver pennies have sold for $5.6 million—making them the most expensive treasure ever found in the United Kingdom.

A hoard of 2,584 silver pennies from the time of the Norman Conquest has been bought in the U nited K ingdom for more than $5 million — making it the country's highest-value discovery ever made by treasure hunters.

The 11th-century coin trove, known as the Chew Valley Hoard, is now England ’s most valuable treasure find, revealing new information about the historical transition following the Norman Conquest. The set includes pennies depicting William the Conqueror and Harold II, and a number of coins of William I issued after his coronation in 1066.

Seven treasure hunters discovered 2,584 silver coins dating from 1066 to 1068 in a southwest England field. Britain’s Treasure Act 1996 came into play, ensuring that museums had first dibs on purchasing the historic hoard.

A hoard of 2,584 silver pennies from the time of the Norman Conquest has been bought in the U nited K ingdom for more than $5 million — making it the country's highest-value discovery ever made by treasure hunters.

A remarkable collection of 2,584 silver pennies dating back to the Norman Conquest has been acquired for £4.3 million (around €5.16 million), setting a record as the most valuable treasure ever discovered in the UK.

A massive hoard of 1,000-year-old silver pennies found by a group of people learning how to use metal detectors in 2019 were recently valued at $5.6 million (£4.3 million), making it the highest valued treasure in England.