Rare Norwegian Coin Find
A rare silver coin minted under Viking King Magnus Barefoot was recently unearthed in Norway, initially dismissed as an ordinary old button. The discovery occurred just 10 to 15 centimeters below the surface. Specialists from the Museum of Archaeology at the University of Stavanger have now confirmed the artifact is a medieval silver piece that underwent secondary modification: a copper plate was soldered onto it, and the edges were folded over.
Significance of the Discovery
Further examination revealed notches along the coin’s rim, indicating it had been worn as a pendant on a chain. To identify the coin, researchers employed X-ray scanning, which uncovered a hidden griffin design. Analysis ultimately identified it as currency from the reign of Magnus Barefoot, who ruled Norway from 1093 to 1103. He is remembered as the last Viking king of Norway and died during a military campaign in Ireland.
The coin weighs 0.81 grams and boasts a silver purity of 90 percent. Previously, only four similar specimens combining a griffin and a double cross were known worldwide. Comparable coins have been found in the Faroe Islands and Denmark, but the Utstein find is the first of its kind on Norwegian soil.
This discovery carries profound implications for Norwegian history and the study of European numismatics, offering deeper insight into the economic and cultural networks of the Viking Age. Specifically, the coin provides evidence of trade and interaction between Norway and neighboring regions like Denmark and the Faroe Islands. It also underscores the value of investigating the material culture of this era, which may open new avenues for understanding Viking history.