The Lyon centenary: have you a short paper to share with our audience?

This year's evening of short papers, and hopefully exhibitions, planned for 27 April, takes on a different approach in that it will commemorate the centenary of the birth of the late Dr Stewart Lyon. Dr Lyon was among the leading numismatists of the second half of the 20th century, highly regarded for his work on Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Viking coinages. Young and established scholars with an interest in this period are invited to provide a title and a two-line synopsis of their proposed paper to the Director, William MacKay (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 31 March. Just a reminder – presentations will need to be given in person at the Society of Antiquaries in London.

Large grant deadline fast approaching...

The Society has recently raised the thresholds for its grant awards. A small grant threshold is now £750 (previously £500); a medium grant is now £1,250 (previously £1,000). Applications for either of these can be dealt with throughout the year. However, applications for large grants (£1,250 to a maximum of £5,000) close at the end of March each year, so if you are thinking of applying, this year's deadline is fast approaching.

See https://www.britnumsoc.org/the-society/funds for further details and the relevant application forms.

Situations vacant...1, 2, 3

Coinciding with the end of the President's term of office, after 17 years, our Secretary, Peter Preston-Morley, will be standing down at the Anniversary Meeting in November. So we would be interested in hearing from any UK-based member who would be prepared to take on the role. Physical attendance at meetings is desirable, but not essential. Those interested are invited to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

Also in November our Website Officer, Rob Page, will be handing over to a new volunteer – it could be you! Ideally based in the UK, we are looking for an IT-literate person with particular skills and working familiarity with Joomla and/or Microsoft Access. Again, if you can help, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lastly, with the recent sad death of Neil Beaton, the Society wishes to engage the services of an Independent Examiner – a financial professional who we can call on once a year to verify the Society's Report and Accounts before they are submitted to the Charity Commission. For further details, please contact the Treasurer, David Young, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Silver, Steel and Beyond...

Speaking of grants, the Society has been pleased to financially support the forthcoming full-day symposium, Silver, Steel and Beyond: Rethinking the Impact of the Viking Great Army, to be held at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, on Friday, 24 April, commencing at 10am.

The event, organised by Prof. Rory Naismith, will witness talks by Lesley Abrams, James Graham-Campbell, Dawn Hadley, Jane Kershaw, Julian Richards and Prof. Naismith. The day is divided into three sessions, to be chaired by Gareth Williams, Clare Downham and Jake Stattel.

Advertised on social media for the last few months, there are only a few places left, so those wishing to attend are urged to contact the organiser, Brittany Nebiolini, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., as soon as possible.