Museums

King Alfred's Coins: Viking Treasure

From 01 Nov 2016 to 31 Jan 2017

1 Nov-31 Jan. The Ashmolean Museum is holding an exhibition to raise awareness for its campaign to acquire a major Viking hoard discovered in Watlington, Oxfordshire in October 2015.

The find, which is on display at the museum's England Gallery, dates from the 870s, a pivotal moment in the struggle between Anglo-Saxons and Vikings for control of southern England. The hoard comprises over 200 Anglo-Saxon coins, including rare coins of Alfred the Great, King of Wessex (871-899).

The Ashmolean has until 31 January to reach the £1.35 million necessary to acquire the Watlington Hoard which otherwise faces being broken up and sold as individual lots to private collectors. So far the museum has raised 80 per cent of its target, thanks to grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the Ashmolean Friends and Patrons.

See website for details of how to help the campaign.