19th Century coins found under HMS Victory masts

Six 19th Century coins and tokens have been discovered beneath the foremast of HMS Victory.

The find was made following the successful removal of Victory's foremast at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The discovery connects directly to a long-standing maritime tradition in which coins were placed beneath a ship's mast as a symbolic act, says Andrew Baines, executive director of Museum Operations at Royal Navy Museums.

The newly discovered coins and token, together with the earlier coin discovered beneath Victory's main lower mast, will go on display in the Victory Gallery at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard from 23 May and will remain on display throughout the summer.

The project, called HMS Victory: The Big Repair, is part of the £42m project to conserve Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship for future generations.

Baines said uncovering the coins was an "extraordinary surprise".

The coins have endured extreme conditions for 132 years, sitting beneath the fore lower mast, bearing the weight of approximately 50 tonnes of masts, yards and rigging above them.

Baines added: "The placing of coins beneath a ship's mast has long been seen as a symbolic act, often associated with protection and good fortune for the vessel and her crew.

"Following the earlier discovery of a single farthing beneath the main lower mast, we had hoped there might be something similar beneath the foremast.

"But to uncover six coins was an extraordinary surprise"

Visitors will be able to see the finds alongside the story of their conservation, from their discovery beneath the fore lower mast to the X-ray analysis that helped reveal their identity, age and origins.

HMS Victory, which is conserved by Royal Navy Museums at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, remains open to visitors throughout The Big Repair.