Find Spot record MDO22588 - Hoard of 18th / 19th century silver coins, Shaftesbury

An undatable silver coin hoard of the 18th / 19th century. Consists of shillings, florins and half crowns. It was found by workmen in 1931 during the repair of a retaining wall.

An undateable coin hoard of shillings, florins and half crowns was found by workmen in 1931 during the repair of a retaining wall at ST 86972287. The coins were discovered at a depth of about 2ft below ground level in some old sacking <1.1>. An inquest on the hoard was held in June 1931, but the only reference that Mr. Creech could find was that fifty-seven silver coins valued at #4 - 5 - 6 were displayed. The coins were sent to the British Museum <1.2>. (1)

Mr. Dolley stated that the departmental archives of the British Museum were destroyed during the war, but the fact that the above hoard was never published in 'Numismatic Chronicle', strongly suggests that it comprised coins which were still current in the realm (ie silver coins dated 1816). <2>

Enquiries regarding the coin hoard revealed that five persons were concerned with the discovery. Mr. R.Thorn (see Authy <1>) was apparently the only one still alive and he stated that they were "George III florins" <3.1>. <3>

<1> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 17-MAR-56 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<1.1> Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Mr. R. Thorn (Workman) 10 Breach Lane Shaftesbury (Unpublished document). SWX999.

<1.2> Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Mr. W H Creech North Dorset Coroner (Unpublished document). SWX999.

<2> Dolley, R H M, Oral: Letter from R H M Dolley, Assistant Keeper, Dept of Coins and Medals, The British Museum, 17.7.56 (Verbal communication). SDO18630.

<3> GSL, Various, Field Investigators Comments GSL, F2 GSL 13-AUG-56 (Unpublished document). SDO19107.

<3.1> Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, R Hoptroff Sgt of Police Shaftesbury (Unpublished document). SWX999.

<4> National Monuments Record, NMR Monument Record, NMR Monument number 206502 (Index). SDO9937.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 206502 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jul 16 2024 5:06PM