A rare Viking horde discovered
Two British metal detectorists have stumbled upon an extraordinary archaeological discovery that breathes life into the vibrant economic landscape of the Viking Age. In a remarkable find, John Crowe and David O’Hare uncovered a rare hoard of 1,000-year-old silver coins that offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex monetary world of dark age traders.
The Coin Collection
The treasure trove consists of 36 silver coins, most minted during the reign of Edward the Confessor, one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England. The collection also features coins from two earlier rulers: Edward’s father Aethelred and the Viking king Cnut, representing the intricate political tapestry of the era.
A coin featuring viking King Sihtric Silkbeard, from the hoard of 1,000-year-old coins
A Trader’s “Wallet” of the Viking Age
Kristin Bornholdt Collins, a U.S.-based researcher specializing in Viking Age coins, described the hoard as analogous to a modern traveler’s wallet – a mix of currencies prepared for international trade: “This new hoard might be compared to a wallet containing all kinds of credit cards, notes and coins, perhaps of different nationalities, such as when you prepare to travel overseas, and shows the variety of currencies available to an Irish Sea trader or inhabitants of Man in this period.”
The Strategic Importance of the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man was a trading hub between Ireland and Britain. Vikings, who arrived from Scandinavia in the 800s, transformed from initial raiders into traders and settlers.
Remarkably, more Viking Age silver has been discovered per square kilometre on the Isle of Man than in England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
The treasure will initially be displayed at the Manx Museum in Douglas, inviting visitors to connect with this fascinating chapter of dark age maritime history.
