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British metal detectorists John Crowe and David O’Hare recently discovered 36 antique coins on private land on the Isle of Man. Upon finding the coins, Crowe and O’Hare brought them to Kristin Bornholdt Collins, an expert on Viking Age coins from the Isle of Man. Since then, Isle of Man authorities have declared the coins as treasure.
These coins are thought to originate from the Viking era, which occurred around 1,000 years ago. Many were minted during the reign of King Edward the Confessor of England. Some coins feature earlier rulers, including Edward’s father, Aethelred, and the Viking king Cnut.
Ultimately, the coins may have been part of a “wallet,” Bornholdt Collins said. The collection contained a wide range of coins, indicating that the people who held them may have traveled overseas and gathered them over an extended period. “(The wallet) shows the variety of currencies available to an Irish Sea trader or inhabitants of Man in this period,” Bornholdt Collins noted.
Vikings used the Isle of Man as a base between Ireland and England. Initially, they plundered and pillaged local communities during this time. Eventually, they began trading and settled in the area.
The coins represent some of the many Viking-era discoveries made in the Isle of Man to date. In fact, more Viking Age silver has been found on a per-square-kilometer basis in the Isle of Man than in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, said Alison Fox, curator for archaeology of the Manx National Heritage organization.
Those who want to view more Viking-era coins can see over 400 such items in the WorthPoint Price Guide.
Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website.
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