An unusually large and remarkably well-preserved silver treasure from the Middle Ages has been discovered near the Swedish capital city of Stockholm. The hoard, weighing around six kilograms, was found while the individual was digging for earthworms near a summer house.
The finder promptly reported the discovery to Stockholm’s County Administrative Board, which has since launched an archaeological investigation of the site and its contents — a collection that includes silver coins, beads, rings, and pendants.
“This is probably one of the largest silver treasures from the early Middle Ages that has been found in Sweden. We don’t yet know exactly how many coins there are, but I think it could be upwards of twenty thousand,” said Sofia Andersson, antiquarian at the County Administrative Board. “Most of the objects are well preserved, but the copper cauldron in which they were found is unfortunately not as well preserved.”
A Hoard from the Time of Knut Eriksson
Coin minted for Knut Eriksson with the inscription “KANUTUS,” meaning Knut in Latin. Object included in the medieval silver hoard discovered in the Stockholm area. Photo by Länsstyrelsen Stockholm/Richard Grönwall, Uppdrag arkeologi
The treasure was deposited in a copper cauldron and consists mostly of silver coins dating to the 12th century, including several bearing the Latin inscription KANUTUS — referring to Knut Eriksson, who ruled Sweden from 1173 to 1195/6.
Among the coins are several particularly rare examples known as bishop coins, minted under ecclesiastical authority. These depict a bishop holding a crozier in his right hand, a detail that distinguishes them from ordinary royal issues.
Archaeologists Begin Their Study
Bishop’s coin. The coin shows a bishop holding a crozier in his right hand. Object included in the medieval silver hoard discovered in the Stockholm area. Photo by Länsstyrelsen Stockholm/Richard Grönwall, Uppdrag arkeologi
Archaeologists working on behalf of the County Administrative Board are now documenting and analysing the hoard. For the moment, officials have chosen not to disclose the exact find location until investigations are complete.
The discovery has been formally reported to Sweden’s National Heritage Board, which will determine whether the state will exercise its right to redeem the treasure — compensating the finder under Swedish law.
Gotlandic penny, possibly depicting a church building. Object included in the medieval silver hoard discovered in the Stockholm area. Photo by Länsstyrelsen Stockholm/Richard Grönwall, Uppdrag arkeologi
“The finder acted completely correctly in contacting us,” Andersson explained. “According to the Cultural Environment Act, anyone who finds an ancient silver find or a deposit find is obliged to offer the state to redeem it for payment.”
The hoard offers a rare glimpse into Sweden’s medieval economy and craftsmanship — and promises to shed new light on coinage, trade, and ecclesiastical influence during the reign of Knut Eriksson.
Close-up of some of the coins. Objects included in the medieval silver hoard discovered in the Stockholm area. Photo by Länsstyrelsen Stockholm/Richard Grönwall, Uppdrag arkeologi
Top Image: A selection of the coins and other silver objects found in the silver hoard in the Stockholm area. Photo by Länsstyrelsen Stockholm/Richard Grönwall, Uppdrag arkeologi
An unusually large and remarkably well-preserved silver treasure from the Middle Ages has been discovered near the Swedish capital city of Stockholm. The hoard, weighing around six kilograms, was found while the individual was digging for earthworms near a summer house.
The finder promptly reported the discovery to Stockholm’s County Administrative Board, which has since launched an archaeological investigation of the site and its contents — a collection that includes silver coins, beads, rings, and pendants.
“This is probably one of the largest silver treasures from the early Middle Ages that has been found in Sweden. We don’t yet know exactly how many coins there are, but I think it could be upwards of twenty thousand,” said Sofia Andersson, antiquarian at the County Administrative Board. “Most of the objects are well preserved, but the copper cauldron in which they were found is unfortunately not as well preserved.”
A Hoard from the Time of Knut Eriksson
The treasure was deposited in a copper cauldron and consists mostly of silver coins dating to the 12th century, including several bearing the Latin inscription KANUTUS — referring to Knut Eriksson, who ruled Sweden from 1173 to 1195/6.
Among the coins are several particularly rare examples known as bishop coins, minted under ecclesiastical authority. These depict a bishop holding a crozier in his right hand, a detail that distinguishes them from ordinary royal issues.
Archaeologists Begin Their Study
Archaeologists working on behalf of the County Administrative Board are now documenting and analysing the hoard. For the moment, officials have chosen not to disclose the exact find location until investigations are complete.
The discovery has been formally reported to Sweden’s National Heritage Board, which will determine whether the state will exercise its right to redeem the treasure — compensating the finder under Swedish law.
“The finder acted completely correctly in contacting us,” Andersson explained. “According to the Cultural Environment Act, anyone who finds an ancient silver find or a deposit find is obliged to offer the state to redeem it for payment.”
The hoard offers a rare glimpse into Sweden’s medieval economy and craftsmanship — and promises to shed new light on coinage, trade, and ecclesiastical influence during the reign of Knut Eriksson.
Top Image: A selection of the coins and other silver objects found in the silver hoard in the Stockholm area. Photo by Länsstyrelsen Stockholm/Richard Grönwall, Uppdrag arkeologi
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