The Isle of Man’s rich Viking legacy has been further enhanced by the discovery of the Island’s latest treasure hoard, which was today declared Treasure by the Isle of Man Deputy Coroner of Inquests, Rebecca Cubbon.
The latest hoard consists of around 36 silver coins (whole and fragments) and was discovered in May by John Crowe and David O’Hare whilst metal detecting, with permission, on private land. The discovery marks the second treasure inquest on the Island in 2024.
Allison Fox, Curator for Archaeology for Manx National Heritage said:
“This is a wonderful find which helps further our understanding of the complex Viking Age economy in the Isle of Man, where more Viking Age silver has been discovered per square kilometre than in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales”.
During the summer, the hoard was studied by the world’s leading expert in Viking Age coins from the Isle of Man, Dr Kristin Bornholdt Collins, an independent researcher and numismatist based in New Hampshire, USA. Dr Bornholdt Collins confirmed that the hoard includes pennies minted in England and Ireland, dating from between around AD 1000 to 1065.
The majority were minted during the reign of Edward the Confessor (AD 1042 to 1066) with the English kings Aethelred II (AD 978 – 1016) and Canute (AD 1016 to 1035) also represented. There are various English mints represented, including York, London, Lincoln, Cambridge, Hastings, Ipswich and Exeter. The Irish coins date from the middle of decades of AD 1000 and were all minted in Dublin. They feature the profile of King Sihtric Silkbeard who served as Norse King of Dublin from AD 989 to 1036. Based on the latest English coins in the find, the hoard was abandoned shortly before AD 1070.
The geographical range of mints represented in this hoard illustrates a vibrant and mobile economy, with traders and cash moving through Ireland and England, via the Isle of Man, for an extended period throughout the Viking era.
Dr Bornholdt Collins said:
“This important hoard was likely assembled in two or more stages, with the earlier English and Irish coins deposited together in the first instance, and the later coins dating to Edward the Confessor added later.
Like the slightly earlier and larger, Northern and Glenfaba hoards, and the similarly dated Kirk Michael hoards, this new hoard might be compared to a wallet containing all kinds of credit cards, notes and coins, perhaps of different nationalities, such as when you prepare to travel overseas, and shows the variety of currencies available to an Irish Sea trader or inhabitants of Man in this period.
Combined, the hoards provide a rare chance to study the contents side by side, right down to the detail of the dies used to strike the coins. Having this much closely dated comparative material from separate finds is highly unusual”.
Manx National Heritage extends thanks both to the finders and the landowner for their assistance with this latest discovery. Sincere thanks also go to Dr Kristin Bornholdt Collins for sharing her expertise and providing the detailed identification of the coins, which will go on display at the Manx Museum from Wednesday 2 October until 13thOctober 2024.
The Isle of Man in the Viking Age
Vikings arrived in the Irish Sea region in the 800s, firstly raiding and trading and eventually settling. The Vikings were a maritime people, and the position of the Island right in the centre of the British Isles meant that it was perfect as a base first for trade, then for settlement. A number of Viking Age burials have been found in the Island, both male and female. The earliest ones were buried in the pagan tradition with grave goods. The Manx Viking legacy is still very evident, not least through the modern parliament, Tynwald, which has its roots in this period. There is still plenty of Viking influence to be seen in the landscape, with castles, carved crosses, burial mounds and settlements all visible. Many spectacular artefacts from the Viking Age on the Isle of Man can be seen in the Manx Museum, Douglas.
The Treasure Act 2017
When finds of archaeological artefacts are made on the Isle of Man there is a legal requirement to report them to Manx National Heritage. If the artefacts fall under the categories in the Treasure Act 2017 (which include being so closely connected with Manx history and national life that their loss would be a misfortune, and/or being of outstanding significance for the study of any branch of Manx art, learning or history) the find must also be reported to the Coroner of Inquests. The Coroner decides whether or not an artefact is “Treasure”.
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Images:
Finders David O’Hare (left) and John Crowe (right), pictured with Allison Fox, Manx National Heritage Curator for Archaeology.
Examples of coins from the hoard
| King Sihtric Silkbeard(AD 989 to 1036) | Edward the Confessor(AD 1042 to 1066) | King Canute(AD 1016 to 1035) |
