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Dirty 'button' unearthed by metal detectorist turns out to be a rare 900-year-old coin from Norway's last V...
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- A metal detectorist in Norway discovered a rare 900-year-old silver coin linked to Magnus Barefoot, Norway's last Viking king, initially mistaking it for a button due to its altered appearance.
- The coin, found near Utstein Monastery, dates to Magnus Barefoot's reign (1093-1103) and is the first of its type found on Norwegian soil, featuring a unique combination of a griffin and a cross-over-cross motif.
- Researchers found the coin had been modified with a copper plate and folded edges, likely to be worn as jewelry, highlighting its significance beyond monetary use.
- About 100 coins from Magnus Barefoot's reign are known, making this discovery valuable for understanding Viking Age coin production and circulation in Norway.
- Magnus Barefoot was a warrior king known for his military campaigns and domestic reforms, including restoring a high silver content in Norwegian coinage, reflecting both his ambitions and economic policies.
