Guernsey Pub Yields Hidden Coins from Wartime and Beyond
Coins from the German Occupation of Guernsey, Victorian times, and the 20th century come to light during a pub refurbishment, offering a glimpse into the past.
A surprising discovery came to light during the refurbishment of a historic pub: a collection of coins spanning more than a century. The find includes coins from the Victorian era, the German Occupation of Guernsey, and some minted as recently as the 1970s, offering a glimpse into the layered history of the pub site.
They were discovered by carpenter Paul Stockreiter beneath the pub's floorboards during the redevelopment of the La Fontaine Inn. These discoveries often occur in older buildings, where items are accidentally dropped or intentionally hidden over time. The diverse range of coins provides a unique snapshot of the economic and social changes experienced in the region across generations.
Stockreiter was excited about the find. "Once we ripped the bar out, we found the joints were rotten, so we lifted the floorboards," he said. “It's an old building, there is no damp course, no concrete, the floor below is mud basically. As we revealed it, on top of the mud the coins just looked like a muddy disk, they were so covered in debris. I find it interesting; you imagine who came in, what they were ordering, what they were drinking? Was it quarryman, did he part with all his wages? You don't know and it brings it to life for me."
Among the most intriguing finds are a Queen Victoria penny from the late 1800s and a coin from the German Occupation of Guernsey during World War II. The German coin, issued by the occupying forces, symbolizes a challenging and complex period in England’s history.
The Victorian-era coins, however, testify to the pub's origins and role in the community during a transformative period of industrialization and empire during Great Britain’s “Gilded Age.” The more recent coins, dating up to the 1970s, reflect the pub's continued important role as a social hub into the modern era. Together, these coins illustrate how the site evolved alongside the community it served.
According to Shane Le Page, from the Guernsey Heritage Keepers, a non-profit metal detecting group, the discovery is likely a mixture of coins that's probably just slipped under the floorboards or gaps over the years. However, as he noted, “The Queen Victoria Penny, late 1800s, is the oldest and all the other coins running through to 1971, reflecting the history of the occupants of the building." He added that while there is little financial value in the find, the coins are historically important, telling a bit of the story of the Le Fontaine Inn through the years.
Historians and archaeologists are now studying the coins to uncover more about their origins and significance. The discovery has also generated excitement among locals, with many eager to learn more about the hidden history of their beloved pub.
As renovations continue, the pub’s owners are considering how best to preserve and display the coins. Whether they remain on-site as part of an exhibit or are shared with a local museum, these coins offer a tangible link to the past—a reminder of the stories often hidden beneath our feet, just waiting to be uncovered.
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Kele Johnson is the Editor of Kovels Antique Trader magazine and the Digital Content Editor of Active Interest Media's Collectibles Group. Her captivation with collectibles began at a young age while dusting her mother’s McCoy pottery collection. She admits to a fondness for mid-century ceramics, uranium glass, and ancient coin hoards. Kele has a degree in archaeology and has been researching, writing, and editing in the collectibles field for many years. Reach her at kelejohnson@aimmedia.com.
