A remarkable discovery of Viking Age coins dating back 1,000 years has been made on the Isle of Man, a small British crown dependency situated in the Irish Sea. The collection, consisting of 36 silver coins, was unearthed by metal detectorists John Crowe and David O’Hare during a routine search on the island last May. This week, the artifacts were officially declared as treasure by Rebecca Cubbon, the Isle of Man Deputy Coroner of Inquests.
Allison Fox, the Curator for Archaeology at Manx National Heritage, expressed excitement over the find, stating that it enhances our understanding of the intricate Viking Age economy on the Isle of Man. The island has a rich Viking history, with evidence of Viking settlements and burial mounds scattered across the region. Vikings arrived on the Isle of Man in the 9th century, using its strategic location in the Irish Sea for trade and raiding activities.
Leading Viking Age coin expert Kristin Bornholdt Collins examined the coins and determined that they were minted between 1000 to 1065 C.E. Many of the coins originate from various locations in England, including York, London, Lincoln, Cambridge, Hastings, Ipswich, and Exeter. The majority of the collection was minted during the reign of Edward the Confessor, the King of England from 1042 to 1066.
The hoard appears to have been assembled in multiple stages, with earlier English and Irish coins deposited first, followed by coins from the reign of Edward the Confessor. Some English coins in the collection were minted during the rule of Canute, a powerful Viking ruler who established the North Sea Empire encompassing England, Denmark, and Norway. The Irish coins feature the profile of Sihtric Silkbeard, the Norse king of Dublin, who played a significant role in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
Bornholdt Collins likened the hoard to a diverse currency wallet, containing coins and notes from various nations. The collection provides a unique opportunity to study coins from different origins side by side, offering insights into the minting processes and historical contexts of the era. The hoard is believed to have been abandoned before 1070 C.E., adding to its historical significance.
Overall, the discovery of the Viking Age coin hoard on the Isle of Man sheds light on the island’s Viking heritage and contributes valuable information to the study of medieval economies and trade routes. The coins will be preserved and studied further to unravel more mysteries of the past.
