Much of what we know about the Scandinavians of the Viking Age (AD 800 until 1050) and their activities in the British Isles comes from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a vast collection of annals written in Old English that documents the history of the Anglo-Saxons. Whilst the chronicle may have elements of bias towards the Norse people due to the perspective from which it was written, the information it contains combined with archaeological research gives us more of a true sense of who they were.
The stereotypical representation of Norsemen in modern society is that of violent raiders hellbent on killing and conquest. The Viking Age was certainly a violent era, not just for the Scandinavians but for all other cultures and civilisations of the time. However, an aspect of Norse culture that often gets overlooked is their aptitude for commerce and ability to create trade networks and market kingdoms all over the globe, from Britain to Greenland, Russia to Constantinople.
Coins from Islamic Caliphates
Linked to the Norsemen, beautiful silver coins called dirhams featuring inscriptions of Quranic Kufic script have been found in Britain and Ireland. Dirhams were produced in places like Baghdad in Iraq and Samarkand in Uzbekistan, which delineates just how far-reaching the Viking trade networks were. What these discoveries also highlight is how precious metals played a crucial role in what was then a bullion economy.C
An Economy Driven by Precious Metals
Compared to modern-day currency, where the denomination of a circulating coin indicates its value, a bullion economy is based on the weight and purity of the precious metal, which was predominantly silver during the Viking Age. Viking settlements established in Britain and Ireland, such as those in notable places like York and Dublin, acted as trade hubs and silver flowed freely through these market sites. During this period, gold was not as prevalent as silver as a form of currency, hence why the period is sometimes referred to as the Silver Age, but discoveries of Viking hoards have proven that gold was used for jewellery.
Gold and Silver Viking Hoards
Over the centuries, hoards from the Viking Age featuring silver and gold have been found throughout Scandinavia, Britain and Ireland, with the Galloway Hoard serving as a notable discovery in recent history. Comprising around 100 artefacts, this particular hoard dates to around AD 900 and is one of the richest and diverse attributed to the Viking Age. Consisting of ten pounds of Viking silver, the hoard also includes the largest collection of Viking Age gold ever found in Britain. Often a means of safeguarding wealth during turbulent times, hoarding during the period involved protecting artefacts and precious metals against the threat of raiders, whilst also serving as the equivalent of a bank deposit during the Middle Ages.
From the Viking Age to the Modern Day
Even though almost a millennium has passed since the end of the Viking Age, precious metals continue to be coveted as a source of wealth and security, with modern-day investors looking to precious metals – gold in particular – as a reliable investment option for their portfolios. At The Royal Mint, we offer seamless and secure investment opportunities through a variety of means, including DigiGold, Gold for Pensions, our physical, gold-backed ETC, RMAU, and, of course, bullion coins and bars.
Honouring the Norse Gods in Gold and Silver
Scandinavians of the Viking Age, including those who settled in Britain, worshipped a pantheon of gods before their mass conversion to Christianity. Supernatural beings with enthralling personas, the gods of Norse mythology continue to fascinate generations in the twenty-first century.
Discover our stunning, minted bullion bar collection that pays tribute to the some of the foremost Norse gods, including Odin, Thor and Loki, featuring intricate designs that skilfully capture facets associated with each god.
