Metal detectors encounter 1,000-year-old Viking ‘wallet’ full of treasure: ‘Very unusual’

British historians recently announced the extraordinary discovery of a 1,000-year-old Viking “portfolio”, thanks to two curious metal detectorists.

Manx National Heritage, an organization based on the Isle of Man, announced the discovery in September. 30 press releases.

In a statement, the organization explained that the coins were actually discovered in May.

Two metal detectorists, John Crowe and David O’Hare, found the treasure chest while searching private land on the island.

The finds consist of 36 silver coins minted between 1000 and 1065, when Vikings were known to have inhabited the Isle of Man.

“The majority [of the coins] were formed during the reign of Edward the Confessor (AD 1042-1066) with the English kings Aethelred II (AD 978-1016) and Canute (AD 1016-1035) also represented,” the press release said.

Canute, also known as Cnut, was a Viking ruler who united the kingdoms of England and Denmark.

“Various English mints are represented, including York, London, Lincoln, Cambridge, Hastings, Ipswich and Exeter,” the statement added. “The Irish coins date from the mid-1000s AD and were all minted in Dublin. They feature the profile of King Sihtric Silkbeard, who served as Norse King of Dublin from 989 AD to 1036.

Dr. Kristin Bornholdt Collins, a researcher, noted that the discovery can be compared to a wallet because of the variety of coins.

“The new trade can be compared to a wallet containing all kinds of credit cards, notes and coins, perhaps of different nationalities, such as when preparing to travel abroad, and shows the variety of coins available to a trader of the Irish Sea or the inhabitants of Burra in this period,” she explained.

“Combined, the pits offer a rare chance to study the contents side by side, down to the details of the machinery used to strike the coins,” added the expert. “To have this very close comparative material from separate finds is very unusual.”

Historians believe that the treasure was abandoned around 1070.

Experts say the treasure sheds light on the commercial history of the time.

“The geographical scope of mining represented in this hoard illustrates a vibrant and mobile economy, with traders and money moving across Ireland and England, via the Isle of Man, over an extended period throughout the Viking Age,” the release said. its Manx National Heritage. .

Allison Fox, a curator for Manx National Heritage, said the discovery provides information about the history of the island, which is known to harbor priceless Viking artefacts.

“This is a remarkable discovery which furthers our understanding of the complex Viking Age economy on the Isle of Man, where more Viking Age silver has been discovered per square kilometer than in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales,” she pointed out.