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Early medieval silver treasure found in Stockholm
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 six kilos (13.2 pounds) of coins, rings, pendants and beads were found in a copper cauldron. The cauldron is in poor condition — most of it degraded over time — but the contents are very well-preserved. The coins are still being documented, but there are an estimated 20,000 of them.
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.
Several of the coins are unusual. During the Middle Ages, so-called bishop coins were minted in Europe, meaning coins made for a bishop. The hoard contains several such coins where a bishop is seen holding a crozier in his right hand.
King Knut 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 wealth hidden for safekeeping during these troubled times.
The finder is an angler and was digging for worms near his summer house in the Stockholm area when he uncovered the treasure. He immediately reported it to the County Administrative Board, as required by Swedish cultural heritage laws, and archaeologists were commissioned to document the discovery and excavate the find site. Typically these types of hoards are buried next to other remains, so archaeologists are hoping to find additional artifacts or the remains of structures.
Once the investigation is complete, the find will be reported to the National Heritage Board which will then determine the valuation of the treasure and whether it should be redeemed from the finder. The rarity and high value of the find all but guarantees that compensation will be paid to the finder and that the treasure will be assigned to a museum, likely Stockholm’s Historical Museum
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