The ‘Sizewell C’ or ‘Near Leiston’ hoard comprises 321 coins (319 pennies, 2 cut halfpennies), which were buried c. 1042–1044.

The coins had initially been wrapped in a layer of fabric, which was then folded up within a single piece of lead sheet. Prior to unwrapping and removal of the coins, this provided an appearance not dissimilar to a Cornish pasty. Such use of lead sheet to enclose hoards is by no means unique, being well-attested in a number of British finds. Indeed, the 10th century Silverdale hoard of coins and jewellery was wrapped up in a lead parcel, while the enormous 11th century coin hoard from Lenborough, Buckinghamshire, was enclosed within a folded lead ‘envelope’.

Although buried early in the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042–1066), there are only 24 of his issues present in the hoard. The overwhelming majority of the coins were instead struck during the reigns of his predecessors, the half-brothers Harold I ‘Harefoot’ (1036–1040) and Harthacnut (1040–1042). At present, pending the cleaning of a few as yet unidentified coins, these were struck at no fewer than 32 mints located across England. However, the majority were issued at either London or various locations within East Anglia.

Although the precise reasons for the hoard’s burial will never be fully known, its deposition in the period 1042–1044 may well relate to instability or uncertainty at the beginning of Edward the Confessor’s reign. Having returned to England from a lengthy Continental exile, Edward’s accession to the throne marked the end of Anglo-Danish rule, as established by Cnut over 25 years previously.

While regime change in itself might have caused concerns, people may also have been mindful of reprisals – especially if they were connected with the previous administration in some way. Indeed, in 1043 Edward proscribed a number of high-status individuals. While some were deprived of wealth and property, others were exiled (albeit temporarily, in one case). Although it is by no means a certainty, this specific event could well have galvanised the hoard’s owner into action – taking measures to conceal their money and protect it from harm. Whatever their reasoning, all that we can say with total certainty is that they never managed to retrieve it.