The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Chippenham held an annual open day where visitors from all over Wiltshire could get a behind the scenes view of what the centre does. Coins from the hoard were on display and everyone got a chance to talk about how they are processed. Other objects from other sites, such as swords and necklaces, were also available to view, making this a very popular day.
The Malmesbury Carnival procession was as spectacular as ever, and this year the museum joined in with a walking float celebrating the Malmesbury Coin Hoard.
Volunteers enjoy a lot of time recording, identifying, packaging and photographing the coins. It’s a rare chance to hold an ancient Roman coin and see it up close.
Volunteers attended an HLF sponsored course in Malmesbury on a warm day this July to learn all about museum-standard cataloguing and documentation for coins, followed by expert tuition in condition surveying the coins. The day wrapped up with practical examples, and the attendees are ready to start their work on the conserved coins and pass on their learning to other volunteers.
The Portable Antiquities scheme is celebrating 20 years of Treasure this year, and Athelstan Museum is highlighting some of the objects found and recorded by the scheme that the museum has been able to acquire. The Malmesbury Coin Hoard was originally reported under the scheme and it is only through it that the museum has been able to acquire the hoard.
Members of the Hankerton History group are volunteers with the Malmesbury Coin Hoard project, and they held an evening talk and display from the metal detectorist who found the hoard. In addition to describing how he found the coins, Tony gave an overview of his metal detecting finds, many of which he brought along to the talk.
Marc Allum hosted an entertaining an enlightening evening on Arts & Antiques in support of the Malmesbury Coin Hoard at the end of April. The guests at Malmesbury Town Hall were treated to Marc’s expert commentary on a number of objects they brought in. The experience and enthusiasm that he brings to the BBC Antiques Roadshow was much in evidence. From a butcher’s bell in the shape of a pig to a simple nostalgic hat-stretcher Marc’s choices showed his wide-ranging knowledge and passion for collecting. It was a very successful fundraising event.
Members of the Hankerton History group are volunteers with the Malmesbury Coin Hoard project, and they held an evening talk and display from the metal detectorist who found the hoard. In addition to describing how he found the coins, Tony gave an overview of his metal detecting finds, many of which he brought along to the talk.
Volunteers have been busy packaging coins over the last few months and the first batch of 284 have been sent to the conservation labs in Chippenham. The coins were originally packed in groups in bags by the British Museum but needed to be separated out. Every coin is given it’s own unique number, photographed, recorded, and packaged into its own individual envelope.
The pot fragments have also begun their journey to being restored. You can see in the photo above that the pot was broken into several pieces. It looks like the rim of the pot is missing, possibly removed by ploughing. It must have been deep ploughing as the hoard was buried about 2 feet down!
See Athelstan Museum Malmesbury for more talks
