The Leader of Staffordshire County Council believes that the £3million valuation of Anglo-Saxon gold found near Lichfield is a “fair” price.
The British Museum’s treasure valuation committee has put a £3.285million price tag on the Staffordshire Hoard.
It is now likely that a group of local authorities and museum will join forces to ensure the Hoard returns remains in the region.
Cllr Atkins said:
“The committee needs to be thanked for coming to such a prompt decision. Deciding on the value such an incomparable find will have been a task of astonishing complexity. However I am convinced that their finding is fair to all parties.
“Our priority now is to make sure that the Hoard has a permanent home in the region and benefits as many people as possible. More importantly it will act as a catalyst to bring greater understanding and appreciation of the ancient kingdom of Mercia which had Staffordshire at its heart. This is requires commitment and imagination, but can bring great rewards.
“We are working with our partners to achieve this, including the councils of Lichfield, Tamworth, Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent .”
It seems to me like a very weak valuation – A single set of saxon sword hilt fittings were bought by the British Museum in 2002 for £125,000.
Is the tug of war over yet?
I must point out that Repton – the capital of mercia is in Derbyshire – perhaps they should have the hoard?
– Only joking.
You will have heard of the Brown Hill Hoard
Our worthy warrior prince, a well-loved shield brother, great in battle,
High born in the blood of Woden and Offa, wielding war-gear,
ripped with terrible and bitter blows from fearless men,
now Hell possessed, fell breathe-choked at the Brown Hill.
Wary and fearful of the Danes in the East, and reaching into the forest,
the hoard, no less great than his many hard-won and famed victories,
is slipped under the forest floor, out of harm’s way.
Safe in the earth’s keeping, the hard won scrap-gold rests.
What treasures: bright red stones from far distant lands, all wrapped in gold; the crumpled cross of the Wielder of Glory; and Beasts of The Book.
War-gear wrought with skill: sword-fixings; hilts; cheek-pieces; arm-bands.
The finest war-trappings of the finest men, battle-fallen and gone.
In time a finder comes, Walh halh born, a wood-skilled earth-scourer,
scrap-finder of renown, following the ploughman, a son of John.
Around his Feast Day he tilled the treasure, unlocked the hoard.
Now all hail the ancient and forgotten sword-heroes of middle earth.
P.S. The nearest museum to Brownhills is at Walh halh: http://www.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk/about
[…] Following the news that the Anglo-Saxon gold treasure found near the city had been valued at more than £3million, Staffordshire County Council said the figure would allow them to start planning for the Hoard’s return. […]
The hoard most certainly should remain intact and stay within the region. Let’s hope the funds can be found… Isn’t this what Lottery money is for???