A large treasure of silver coins and jewelry from the 12th century has been discovered in Sweden. It is the first medieval treasure found in Stockholm, and one of the largest silver treasures from the early Middle Ages ever found in Sweden. Stockholm was founded in 1252, so the treasure predates the existence of the city.
A total of 13.2 pounds (Troy or Avoirdupois?) of coins, rings, pendants and beads were found in a copper cauldron. The cauldron is in poor condition — most of it degraded over time — too much "bubble, bubble, toil and trouble - but the contents are very well-preserved. The coins are still being documented, but there are an estimated 20,000 of them.
Amazing how thin the coins were in those days. More like silver chips.
The silver coins date mainly to the 12th century. Some of the coins are embossed with the text “KANUTUS”, the name Knut in Latin. They are from Knut Eriksson’s time as king of Sweden, at the end of the 12th century.
King Knut Eriksson was the first king to start issues royal coins again after more than a century without any new coinage being minted in Sweden. His reign saw a great deal of conflict, however, as he attacked adherents of pagan religions to spread Christianity. He had to build extensive fortifications to defend from incursions of Baltic tribes, including a guard tower on Stockholm island. The fact that the coins are mixed in with jewels and pearls suggests it was a rich family’s or individual’s or even a bishop's wealth hidden for safekeeping during these troubled times.
Typically these types of hoards are buried next to other remains (maybe that rich bishop, running from some howling Baltic warriors), so archaeologists are hoping to find additional artifacts or the remains of structures.
I would imagine it was buried near some landmark so it could be recovered later. I'm curious as to what the area looks like and what cues there might be to allow the original person stashing this hoard to find it again, perhaps many years later.
Via the always good History Blog
Plus, I learned a new (to me) Swedish word reading the original article linked above: Upphittaren = The Discoverer.
Learns me something new everyday.
20,000 silver coins? If I found them I would learn a new Swedish word...Hookersandblowski.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha!
DeleteRight after I learned the words for never tell a damn soul about the find… Very valuable lesson here…
DeleteHow much will the government let him keep?
ReplyDeleteHalf. That will be the half they will steal for the crime of harvesting worms.
DeleteThe article says that the site was turned over to the govt. so they could excavate and evaluate. Personally if I was required to do that there would be a good cross section of the loot stashed by me for later before those guys were ever called.
ReplyDeleteHoard, not horde...
ReplyDeleteAnd I did it twice. Thanks, corrected.
DeleteIf I had found that stash, it would be "Hoards & Ale" for years to come for myself and all my buddies.
ReplyDeleteWowza! Pretty high collector value. Did they raid England, melt down their silver booty and stamp coinage? Gold is always king of specie, but silver is the prince, so to have such a hoard, represents powerful wealth in those days, as they didn't have the technology to print durable wealth transfer paper.
ReplyDeleteI think pounds are the same in either units.
ReplyDelete