Viking raider’s gold coin pendant found in Norfolk

A rare imitation of a Carolingian gold coin worn as a pendant likely by a soldier in the Viking Great Army that invaded England in 865 A.D. has been discovered in Norfolk. This type of coin was made in workshops in Frisia (today part of the Netherlands) and all 22 of these imitation solidi found in Britain have been found along the route of the Great Army. The one found in Norfolk is a relatively high quality example.

The coin is an imitation of a gold solidus of Louis the Pious (r. 814-840), son of Charlemagne, minted around 816 when he was crowned Holy Roman Empire. It is considered one of the finest of all Carolingian coins and one of the rarest, with only four confirmed examples recorded. The draped and laureate bust of Louis on the obverse is inspired by ancient Roman issues, like this 335 A.D. solidus of Constantine I. The inscription of the obverse is DN HLVDOVVICVS IMP ΛVG (meaning “Our Lord Louis August Emperor” an imperial Roman style); the reverse inscription is MVNVS DIVINVM (“Divine Gift”), referring to the wreath/crown or to the cross inside of it.

The Frisian imitations were made much later than the originals. Most of the examples have been found in coin hoards dating to the 870s-880s, and they are very rough with crude outline portrait busts and chicken scratch inscriptions that barely have discernible letters. The earliest examples found in hoards deposited in the 840s and 850s are of notably higher quality. The Norfolk find falls into the latter category.

It is worn, but you can see that the portrait bust captures Louis’ straight, long nose, laurel wreath, moustache and prominent chin. The inscription is also close to the original, reading “DNI HVVD [O] VS H IM AVG.” The reverse get even closer to the inscription: “C MVNVS DIVINVM IS.” The superfluous C and S are misinterpretations of the ties on the original coin’s wreath.

The coin has a double piercing above the head on the obverse, one larger perforation with a smaller one below it and slightly to the side. Those holes are at the four o’clock position on the reverse, which shows it was worn with the obverse side facing the viewer.

The coin pendant is currently going through the Treasure process but it’s a foregone conclusion because of its age and precious metal content. Once it is declared Treasure, the Norwich Castle Museum is hoping to acquire it.

* This article was originally published here