The Middleham Coin Treasure Hoard was discovered near Middleham, North Yorkshire, England, and dates back to the time of the English Civil War. It comprises 5,099 silver coins, making it the largest hoard of coins buried during the Civil War ever found. This remarkable discovery was made in June 1993 by William Cagill, an avid metal detector enthusiast.
Although these coins are referred to as a single hoard, they were actually buried in three pots within two pits. They have slightly varying deposition dates, likely around the late 1640s, although the person responsible for burying them was probably the same individual. Currently, the coins are scattered among various museums and private collections, with 54 of them housed in the Yorkshire Museum's Numismatic Collection.
William Cagill found this treasure on June 22, 1993, on the grounds of Cotescue Park, located on the southwest outskirts of the small market town of Middleham. Cagill initially uncovered the first two pots (A and B) and returned two days later to locate the third one (C).
The pots were found in the vicinity of Cotesque Park, which was a former royal hunting lodge situated north of Coverham, approximately 2 km southwest of Middleham Castle. During the 17th century, Cotescue Park was the residence of Sir Christopher Croft (died 1649), who served as Lord Mayor of York in 1629 and 1641. Adam Loftus, the first Viscount Loftus (c. 1568-1643) and former Lord Chancellor of Ireland (1619-1639), resided in Coverham during the early 1640s until his death in 1643. His son, Edward Loftus, 2nd Viscount Loftus, lived in Middleham Castle until 1644 when the castle was repurposed as a prison. Despite not experiencing any military conflict during the Civil War, Middleham Castle was partially demolished sometime after 1646 to prevent it from being used as a garrison.
Pots A and B were found together, while pot C was discovered about twenty paces to the west. All three pots were covered with local Coverdale sandstone from the castle, and the latest coins in pots A and B date from 1645-1646, indicating a probable deposit date of around 1646. Pot C, however, contains 10-shilling coins featuring a late portrait of Charles I, which are not present in pots A or B. Additionally, pot C includes one shilling with a personal "scepter" mark, used from 1646 to 1649, suggesting a slightly later deposit date, possibly in 1648. Given their close physical proximity, it is likely that the same family buried all three pots.
These three pots used for burying the coins were similar mid-seventeenth century kitchenware, resembling jars with handles suitable for kitchen use. Since there are no indications that they were used for cooking, it is suggested that they were used for food storage. While pots A and B are quite similar, pot A has been definitively identified as Rydale ware. On the other hand, pot C differs somewhat from pots A and B and is not Ryedale ware, originating from an unidentified source.
The coins in the hoard encompass English coins from the reigns of Edward VI to Charles I, as well as Scottish and Irish coins, and coins from Philip IV of Spain and his representatives in the Spanish Netherlands (Archduke Albert and his wife Isabella). Additionally, there are 39 counterfeit coins within the hoard, with most of them found in pots A and B (only six in pot C). Many of these forgeries mimic contemporary English coins, while pots A and B contain counterfeit Spanish-American reals. These forgeries may have been produced locally, as two of the three forged Spanish-American coins in pot A and the two in pot B were cast from the same molds. This suggests local production, as imported forgeries would likely exhibit greater variety. Some of the counterfeit English coins may also have been created locally, such as a copy of Charles I's shilling from the York Mint.