Coin trove from time of Norman conquest becomes England’s highest-value find

The Chew Valley hoard, comprising 2,584 silver pennies, was found by a group of seven friends figuring out how to use a new metal detector. Photograph: British Museum

It began with a speculative trip to a soggy field in south-west England by a seven-strong band of metal detectorists more intent on figuring out how to use some new kit rather than unearthing anything of great historical importance.

But the friends came upon an astonishing hoard of coins – 2,584 silver pennies – from the time of the Norman conquest, which has been valued at £4.3m, making it the highest-value treasure find ever in England.