A SERIES of educational and research projects on the Câtillon II coin hoard will benefit from funds released by the Crown from the hoard’s sale to the government.
The Highlands Foundation, which is administering £250,000 provided to it by the Crown, has announced the first tranche of funding to support five projects promoting the significance and understanding of the hoard, the largest recorded find of Celtic coins, which was discovered in a Grouville field 12 years ago.
They include a play script about the find, a magazine putting the find into the context of trade routes at the time, and a scientific study of the provenance of the coins and what it might reveal of the period, in addition to a course on metal detecting to be run by Highlands College to promote good practice.
These initiatives will not only deepen the academic understanding of the hoard but also enhance public engagement and appreciation of it, the foundation explained.
David Lord, chair of the foundation, said: “The Highlands Foundation is excited to support these ground-breaking initiatives.
“The diversity and scope of the research reflects the multifaceted significance of the Le Câtillon II hoard.
“We anticipate that these projects will yield valuable insights and foster a greater connection between the public and the Island’s Iron Age heritage.â€
Under customary law, the coin hoard became the property of the Crown following its discovery by metal detectorists, and was sold for £4.25 million to the government for the benefit of the Island in 2021.
The £160,000 balance of the funds provided by the Crown from the sale will be made available by the Highlands Foundation in a further series of awards, the next to be made in the autumn.
Applications can be made through the website: highlands.ac.uk/foundation.
