MUSEUMS Worcestershire is delighted that the appeal to raise funds to acquire the Worcestershire Hoard has been successful and the hoard will now come back to the county where it belongs.

Efforts to raise funds to conserve and display the coins will continue into the New Year.

Just over a year ago Worcestershire hit the headlines with the discovery of the largest haul of treasure ever found in the county, a stash of almost 4,000 Roman coins discovered by two metal detecting enthusiasts, including Jethro Carpenter from Redditch, in the Vale of Evesham on Bredon Hill.

Research undertaken by Worcestershire Archaeology and Archives Service with the British Museum indicates the hoard was buried nearly a century after it was accumulated – the only known such British example – meaning the Worcestershire hoard is unique and of national significance.

More than £4,500 was raised through private donations, Worcestershire Archaeological Society also greatly boosted the fund by donating more than £1,000 to the appeal, and it has now been confirmed that an application to the V&A Purchase Grant Fund has been successful, which means a total of £9,000 has been raised to acquire the hoard. 

The appeal will now continue to raise the remaining £30,000 needed to conserve and display the Hoard across the county.

Residents can still offer their support and make a donation by visiting the online giving page charitychoice.co.uk/worcestershire-hoard/ or by visiting the Museums Worcestershire website museumsworcestershire.org.uk  Also by texting COIN11 and the amount of money to 70070, e.g. COIN11 £5 to donate £5, or by popping into the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, the Commandery in Worcester or the County Museum at Hartlebury.