Final funding available to study Jersey coin hoard

Multiple studies have taken place since funding was launched in 2023

Applications for the final round of funding to study Jersey's hoard of 60,000 Celtic coins will close at the end of August.

The Le Catillon II hoard was discovered in the island in 2012 by two metal detectorists and bought by the government in 2021 for £4.25m.

A £250,000 fund to study the almost 70,000 iron age coins has been open since 2023, with £82,000 still available before the deadline on 29 August.

Applications to study what is the largest known iron age hoard in western Europe are open to individuals, researchers, schools, community groups and organisations.

The coins were bought by the government using money recovered from criminal activities

As well as the coins, the hoard also includes pieces of gold and silver jewellery dating back to about 30 to 50 BC.

Funding from the Le Catillon II Coin Hoard Fund has already been used for educational courses and an in-depth look into its discovery in Wreckwatch magazine.

Societe Jersiaise were also given funding to produce a geophysical survey of the area where the coins were found.

Field archaeologist Dr Herve Duval-Gatignol said: "Upcoming work will help to better understand the environment in which the hoards were buried by the Celts, but early results already suggest signs of human activity.

"Thanks to the support of the Le Catillon II Coin Hoard Fund, a whole chapter of the island's history is being brought to light."

The Highlands College Foundation is in charge of administering the funding and its chairman, David Lord, encouraged anyone with a "compelling project" to apply.