Coin (sceat)

Silver coin minted in about 740–800 in Frisia. Similar coins, known as sceattas, were minted in various trading centres around the North Sea, including Ribe on southern Jutland. The purpose of minting these coins was probably to simplify and stimulate trade in north-west Europe. Sceattas from Riben are the first coins to be minted in Scandinavia. Grave find, Helgö, Ekerö Parish, Uppland.

Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0