Plaque to commemorate UK's largest medieval coin hoard installed in Nottinghamshire

Sixty years after the Fishpool Hoard was discovered in Nottinghamshire, a plaque is being installed near the original site to mark the find.

The hoard, uncovered in 1966 during construction work in what is now Ravenshead, remains the largest collection of medieval gold coins ever found in the UK.

The discovery occurred when a digger operator unearthed more than 1,200 gold coins and nine pieces of jewellery while preparing the ground for a housing estate.

The find quickly attracted attention from local workers, police, and coin dealers from London.

Initial reactions included workers taking handfuls of coins home, with some reportedly washing them in sinks to reveal their value.

The foreman at the time described the coins as so heavy they were difficult to carry.

The incident also involved allegations of theft and police corruption, as some coins were taken by individuals before authorities intervened.

The legal complexities surrounding the hoard added to the intrigue of the discovery.

The Fishpool Hoard is significant not only for its size but also for its historical context, offering insight into medieval England.

The find has been revisited in recent years to highlight its importance and the story behind its uncovering.

David Welham, who was five years old at the time and lived nearby, recalls watching the construction work that led to the discovery.

Other workers, including Jim Flint and Pete Hawkins, have shared their memories of the chaotic days following the find.

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