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Two English silver coins, minted around 1009 with Christian symbols to try to protect England from Viking attacks, were found in Denmark and reveal that the Vikings themselves transformed the very rare pieces into jewelry or amulets.
Two rare English silver coins were discovered in Denmark by detectors and indicate that pieces created in England to ward off Viking attacks ended up being transformed into jewelry or amulets used by the Vikings themselves.
The coins were minted around 1009, during the reign of the English king Æthelred II, known as “Æthelred the Unready.” Experts from the National Museum of Denmark state that they had religious motifs associated with protection against the Viking scourge.
English coins had Christian symbols
The style was named “Agnus Dei,” or “Lamb of God,” because the front features a lamb pierced by a cross, a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice. Alpha and omega also appear, Greek letters associated with God as the beginning and end.
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On the reverse, a dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Common English coins from the same period featured a cross on the reverse but did not display the lamb. They usually showed the king’s profile on the front.
Rare pieces were found in Scandinavia
Only 30 “Lamb of God” coins have been found to date, and most appeared in Scandinavia. Experts interpret that they were likely looted by Vikings, despite the religious symbols created to offer protection.
A large portion of the Scandinavian specimens has metal loops soldered. These additions indicate that the coins were adapted for use in necklaces or as amulets, ceasing to be just circulation pieces.
Find links kings, Christianity, and Vikings
Gitte Ingvardson, curator of the National Museum of Denmark, stated that the coins are extremely rare and classified the fate of the pieces as tragicomic. They were made for protection against Vikings but ended up being used by them.
The curator highlighted that the Vikings realized the practicality of the coins in trade, instead of cutting silver into pieces. The English coins link English kings, Danish kings, Christianity, and Vikings.
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