Thousands of silver coins have been discovered in Finland, forming the largest Late Iron Age coin hoard ever found in the country. The Viking Age treasure, weighing about 4.5 kilograms, was uncovered by a metal detectorist near Sysmä.
Metal detector enthusiast Kalle Lappinen made the discovery near the church village of Sysmä in southern Finland on September 3rd. The site was inspected the following day, when the hoard was recovered under the direction of Esko Tikkala, an archaeologist with the regional museum.
In addition to thousands of silver coins, the hoard contains a fragment of silver, a silver bracelet, a silver clasp and a silver bead. The coins and other objects had been placed in two birch-bark containers buried about 45 centimetres below ground, between stones and approximately 12 metres apart.
The coins have not yet been cleaned, separated or counted, so their exact number and date remain unknown. These details will be determined through further study.
How the hoard was discovered
The Viking Age silver hoard during its recovery near Sysmä. The objects had been buried about 45 centimetres below ground. Photo: Esko Tikkala / Lahti Museums
Speaking to Finnish broadcaster Yle, Lappinen explained that he had searched the area before. Other detectorists had also explored the site, which had attracted interest because the landscape resembled the location of another silver treasure discovered in nearby Asikkala.
Lappinen initially detected a signal deep underground but stopped digging because he suspected it was caused by naturally occurring ore. About eight metres away, however, he received another similar signal and decided to investigate.
“Then I just had to dig all the way to the bottom and find out what was there,” Lappinen said. “At the bottom of the hole, I came across about ten silver coins.”
The discovery prompted Lappinen to return to the location of the first signal, where he found more coins. He then reported the discovery to Finland’s heritage authorities, allowing archaeologists to take over the excavation.
Lappinen first began metal detecting in the late 1990s before taking a break of nearly 15 years. He returned to the hobby in 2017 and has since made other archaeological discoveries, particularly objects associated with Iron Age cemeteries.
A record-breaking Viking Age hoard
Part of the newly discovered Sysmä coin hoard. The coins have yet to be cleaned, separated and counted. Photo: Esko Tikkala / Lahti Museums
Until now, Finland’s largest known Viking Age coin hoard was the Nousiainen treasure, discovered in 1895. It contains approximately 1,700 coins and other objects with a combined weight of about 2.2 kilograms.
The Sysmä discovery therefore represents a substantial increase on the previous record. Much remains unknown, however, and researchers will need to clean and identify the coins before they can establish their origins, dates and when the treasure was buried.
The results could provide new evidence about the movement of silver, trade and wealth in Finland during the Viking Age.
Thousands of silver coins have been discovered in Finland, forming the largest Late Iron Age coin hoard ever found in the country. The Viking Age treasure, weighing about 4.5 kilograms, was uncovered by a metal detectorist near Sysmä.
Metal detector enthusiast Kalle Lappinen made the discovery near the church village of Sysmä in southern Finland on September 3rd. The site was inspected the following day, when the hoard was recovered under the direction of Esko Tikkala, an archaeologist with the regional museum.
In addition to thousands of silver coins, the hoard contains a fragment of silver, a silver bracelet, a silver clasp and a silver bead. The coins and other objects had been placed in two birch-bark containers buried about 45 centimetres below ground, between stones and approximately 12 metres apart.
The coins have not yet been cleaned, separated or counted, so their exact number and date remain unknown. These details will be determined through further study.
How the hoard was discovered
Speaking to Finnish broadcaster Yle, Lappinen explained that he had searched the area before. Other detectorists had also explored the site, which had attracted interest because the landscape resembled the location of another silver treasure discovered in nearby Asikkala.
Lappinen initially detected a signal deep underground but stopped digging because he suspected it was caused by naturally occurring ore. About eight metres away, however, he received another similar signal and decided to investigate.
“Then I just had to dig all the way to the bottom and find out what was there,” Lappinen said. “At the bottom of the hole, I came across about ten silver coins.”
The discovery prompted Lappinen to return to the location of the first signal, where he found more coins. He then reported the discovery to Finland’s heritage authorities, allowing archaeologists to take over the excavation.
Lappinen first began metal detecting in the late 1990s before taking a break of nearly 15 years. He returned to the hobby in 2017 and has since made other archaeological discoveries, particularly objects associated with Iron Age cemeteries.
A record-breaking Viking Age hoard
Until now, Finland’s largest known Viking Age coin hoard was the Nousiainen treasure, discovered in 1895. It contains approximately 1,700 coins and other objects with a combined weight of about 2.2 kilograms.
The Sysmä discovery therefore represents a substantial increase on the previous record. Much remains unknown, however, and researchers will need to clean and identify the coins before they can establish their origins, dates and when the treasure was buried.
The results could provide new evidence about the movement of silver, trade and wealth in Finland during the Viking Age.
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