Saving the Watlington Hoard

The Ashmolean Museum has succeeded in raising £1.35 million to purchase King Alfred's coins. More than 800 members of the public supported the appeal to give the treasure a permanent home.

A lead gift was provided through a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £1.05 million. The grant helped to acquire the hoard, as well as assisting with conservation, display, touring and educational programmes.

Dating from the end of the 870s, the Watlington Hoard contains over 200 Anglo-Saxon coins. These coins can potentially shed light on how the once-great kingdom of Mercia came to be absorbed into the emerging kingdom of England by Alfred and his successors.

Dr Xa Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean Museum says: 'The Watlington Hoard is one of the most exciting and important acquisitions we have ever made. To be able to keep the hoard in the county and put it on display with the Ashmolean’s Anglo-Saxon collections, which include the world-famous Alfred Jewel, was an opportunity we could not miss.'