Viking Gold Pendant Found Norfolk
A gold coin pendant belonging to a Viking soldier was discovered in a Norfolk field by a metal detectorist. The pendant features the profile of Louis the Pious, Charlemagne's son, and is believed to have been looted by Viking invaders in the 9th century. Experts say the find could shed new light on Viking army movements and wealth in Eastern England.
- The coin is a Carolingian gold solidus, a very rare find in England, with only a handful of others known. These coins were not regularly used as currency in 9th-century England, making this a significant discovery. - Norfolk is a well-known hotspot for archaeological finds from the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods. In 2024, 132 treasure finds were declared in the county, more than any other in England. - The Great Heathen Army, a large coalition of Viking warriors, arrived in East Anglia in 865 AD and established a winter camp at Thetford in Norfolk. They spent years campaigning across the region, which eventually became part of the Danelaw, a territory under Viking rule. - While Vikings are known for their silver, gold items from the period are considerably rarer. This pendant, being made of gold, would have belonged to an individual of very high status within the Viking army. - The coin was originally minted in the Frankish empire of Louis the Pious (814-840 AD). It was likely turned into a pendant by a Viking who acquired it either through raiding or trade on the European continent before coming to England. - Other significant finds by metal detectorists in Norfolk include a 7th-century gold and garnet pendant in Winfarthing, which was acquired by the Norwich Castle Museum for £145,000, and the West Norfolk Hoard, the largest collection of 7th-century gold coins found in Britain. - It is not uncommon for coins from this era to be repurposed as jewelry. The addition of a loop to the coin to create a pendant indicates it was used for personal adornment and to display wealth and power, rather than for monetary exchange.
