Deputy Kirsten Morel is confident a deal could be agreed within a matter of weeks, after the Council of Ministers meet to finalise its offer.
The hoard of gold torques, silver coins, gold and silver jewellery, which is on display at Hougue Bie, has previously been valued by the UK Treasury and Valuation Committee at around £2.5m. It has subsequently been valued again by a specialist French firm.
Pictured: The hoard is currently on display at La Hougue Bie. (Chris Brookes)
“We are very close to agreeing an offer within the Council of Ministers, which could be accepted or rejected by the Crown, but I am optimistic that it will be an acceptable value,” he said.
“Of course, the Treasury has to find the money but there is widespread agreement among ministers that the hoard should stay in Jersey. It is a very important part of our history and it still has a lot more to teach us.”
Richard Miles, who found the hoard with Reg Mead in 2012 after three decades of searching, said he was delighted that an agreement seemed imminent.
“It is very encouraging because we have always wanted the hoard to stay together in Jersey. It’s been a long process, but we’ve been very careful that it has been properly followed, which has required quite a bit of patience.”
Following the initial UK valuation in 2013, the States entered into an agreement with the Crown and paid £737,808 towards the hoard.
Of this, £250,000 was paid to Jersey Heritage for its restoration. The Crown also entered into an agreement to recognise the contribution of the finders and the landowner, which will be paid once the final valuation is agreed and settled.