11th-Century silver coin hoard found at nuclear power station

A hoard of silver coins dating back to the 11th Century has been unearthed at the site of a new nuclear power station.

The coins, which are thought to have been buried during the reign of King Cnut, were discovered by workers carrying out excavations ahead of the construction of Sizewell C in Suffolk.

The hoard consists of 114 coins, most of which are pennies minted in the early 11th Century.

There are also a few halfpennies and a single farthing, as well as some coins that have been cut into smaller pieces.

The coins are being examined by experts at the British Museum, who will determine their exact value.

However, it is thought that the hoard could be worth several hundred thousand pounds.

A spokesman for Sizewell C said: “The discovery of this hoard of coins is a fascinating insight into the past.

“It shows that the Sizewell area has been inhabited for centuries, and we are privileged to be able to uncover a small part of its history.”

The coins were found in a clay pot, which was buried about 18 inches (45cm) below the surface.

The pot was found in an area that was once part of a settlement, and it is thought that the coins were buried by one of the inhabitants.

The settlement was abandoned some time in the 11th Century, and the coins were left behind.

They were eventually rediscovered by the workers carrying out the excavations at Sizewell C.

The coins are now on display at the Sizewell C visitor centre.