Over 3,000 Viking Age Silver Coins Discovered in Norway

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A remarkable hoard of over 3,000 Viking Age silver coins found near Rena, Norway, is now the largest ever discovered in the country, offering new insights into Norse economic history.

Over 3,000 Viking Age Silver Coins Discovered in Norway
Image credit: Popularmechanics

Archaeological Deep Analysis

More than 3,000 Viking Age silver coins have been uncovered in a field near the town of Rena in the Innlandet region of Norway. Initially detected by two metal detectorists who found 19 coins and promptly reported them to authorities, the number rapidly increased during excavations involving archaeologists, surpassing 3,000. Experts have confirmed this hoard as the largest Viking Age coin collection ever found in Norway [1][2].

The majority of the coins originate from England and Germany, while some are attributed to early coinage in Denmark and Norway. According to Professor Svein Gullbekk from the University of Oslo, the coins date from the 980s to the 1040s and span the reigns of rulers such as King Cnut the Great, Aethelred II, Otto III, and Harald Hardrada [1][3]. Notably, this period coincides with the transition initiated in 1046 when Harald Hardrada began national coin production in Norway, replacing foreign coins with locally minted ones [4].

Archaeologist May-Tove Smiseth suggests the hoard likely was buried in a leather pouch, which later decayed, causing the coins to scatter across the field due to plowing. The region’s stone-free, soft soil has contributed to the exceptional preservation of the coins, which appear almost as if newly minted [3][5]. Iron production on an industrial scale is known to have occurred in the area between the 900s and 1200s; researchers speculate these coins may have served as payments for iron trade [4].

Critical Findings

  • Rena is a settlement located in the eastern part of Norway’s Innlandet region.
  • The hoard consists of coins from England, Germany, Denmark, and Norway, dated between the 980s and 1040s.
  • The Norwegian Directorate of Cultural Heritage and the University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History are officially overseeing the excavation.

Historical Context

The previous largest Viking Age coin hoard recorded in Norway was the Arstad hoard, discovered in 1836 along the country’s southwest coast and containing approximately 1,850 coins. This record stood for nearly 200 years [6]. The new discovery surpasses the Arstad hoard by nearly double in size and represents the most extensive collection of Viking Age coinage in Norway’s economic history [2].

Similar Discoveries

  • Arstad Hoard: A Viking Age hoard of approximately 1,850 coins discovered in southwestern Norway in 1836; remained the largest in the country for two centuries.
  • Worcestershire Coin Hoard: A recent find of 63 coins in the West Midlands region of England, possibly buried prior to the Viking invasions.

Archaeologist’s Note

This discovery stands out not only for its quantity but also for the geographic diversity and chronological range of the coins. The timing of the hoard—coinciding with the shift from foreign to local coinage under Harald Hardrada—provides a rare glimpse into economic history [4]. However, the reason for the burial, the identity of the owner, and whether a settlement existed in the area remain unknown. Answers to these questions may emerge from ongoing excavations [3].

References

Image & News Source: Popularmechanics / popularmechanics.com