19th century coins found under HMS Victory's mast
The long-standing maritime tradition is associated with good fortune for crew and ship.
www.bbc.comHere’s the latest on HMS Victory mast coins based on recent reporting.
Summary
- In May 2026, six 19th-century coins and tokens were uncovered beneath the foremast of HMS Victory during the mast-removal work at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The coins are set to go on display in the Victory Gallery for the summer season and are being presented alongside a previously discovered farthing from the main lower mast. This discovery continues the long-standing maritime tradition of placing coins under a ship’s mast “for good fortune”.[5]
Details and context
- The six finds include five coins and one token, with at least one example identified as an 1892 penny bearing Queen Victoria’s bun-head portrait, all dating from the late 19th century. They were found as part of The Big Repair, a £42 million conservation project aimed at preserving HMS Victory for future generations. The coins’ position beneath the foremast endured under roughly 50 tonnes of rigging above, making the find particularly notable.[1]
- This is not the first time such under-mast coins have been found on HMS Victory. A previous discovery of a farthing beneath the main lower mast was reported in 2021, illustrating the continuity of this maritime tradition across decades. The 2026 finds add to that storyline by yielding multiple items from different mast locations.[4][10][5]
Display and accessibility
- The newly found coins will be displayed in the Victory Gallery at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard starting 23 May 2026 and will remain on show for the summer. Visitors continue to have a chance to engage with Victory’s conservation journey while the vessel remains open to the public during ongoing works.[5]
Notes
- British outlets covering the 2026 discovery emphasize the cultural and symbolic significance of placings coins under masts, tying the finds to a long-standing naval tradition of protection and luck for ships and crews.[5]
Would you like a quick timeline of notable mast-coin discoveries at HMS Victory, or a short map of where masts were removed to find these items? I can provide high-level visuals or a concise reference list.
Citations:
- Six 19th-century coins and display plan: BBC/related coverage confirming the May 2026 discovery and display in Victory Gallery.[5]
- Context of the tradition and the 2026 exhibit details: BBC/NMRN coverage referenced in reports.[1][5]
- Previous 2021 farthing under the mast: BBC 2021 report and related sources.[6][10]