A HOARD of treasure, discovered nearly 200 years ago after being lost for centuries, is being sold at auction.
Twenty-six coins from the Tutbury Hoard, discovered in the River Dove in 1831, will be up for auction with Time Line Auctioneers in London, on September 9.
The coins, which have been valued at around £3,000, made up part of 360,000 mediaeval coins rescued by local people as they worked on the river bed.
The coin hoard remains the largest to have been discovered in Britain and most of the coins are made of silver.
They were minted in England, Ireland and Wales and feature coins with images of Edward I, Henry III, Robert the Bruce and the Bishop of Durham on them.
It is believed the Earl of Lancaster failed to return for the coins after hiding them on the banks of the river in 1322 when he fled Tutbury Castle after the failure of his rebellion against Edward II.
Brett Hammond, director of TimeLine Auctioneers, said: “It’s the only time that any of these can ever be in private hands.
“Some of them were saved and some are in the British Museum.
“In fact these coins were also displayed in the British Museum last year.” The 26 coins on sale were originally the property of Lord Holland, who was awarded them shortly after their discovery, because of his high position as chancellor.
After his death they were passed to William ‘Edgar’ Doggett, former page to Lady Holland, and stayed in his family before being put up for auction in Canterbury.
The coins are now being sold by a private vendor at 9.30am in the Swedenborg Hall, in Bloomsbury Way, London, which is located near the British Museum.
Bidders unable to make the auction will be able to make bids online.
Mr Hammond said: “You’ll be able to view the auction online and if you register on the website you can see and hear the auction as it’s happening in the rooms.
“Bids can also be left on the website and the system will bid up to your maximum.” To register as an online bidder during the live auction, visit www.the-saleroom.
com.
For further information on the hoard, or to register a maximum bid for the coin, visit www.timelineauctions.com.
