A fortunate individual in Sweden stumbled upon a cauldron brimming with medieval jewelry, rings, and a staggering number of coins, all remarkably well-preserved.
This discovery took place in Stockholm County, which has 26 municipalities, as noted in a mid-September statement from the Stockholm County Management Board.
The discoverer was reportedly digging for worms—yes, for fishing bait—when he made this intriguing find.
Located near the person’s summer cottage, the exact site remains undisclosed while investigations continue.
“The individual informed the County Board of Supervisors, and as of now, archaeologists are analyzing the site and the various items, including coins and jewelry,” the statement noted.
Photos shared by officials display numerous ancient coins along with intricate pieces of jewelry.
Though the copper cauldron itself was heavily corroded, the contents inside were intact.
Officials referred to this as an “unusually large and well-preserved silver treasure trove” from the early Middle Ages.
The hoard weighs around 6 kilograms—nearly 14 pounds—and contains thousands of coins, possibly up to 20,000.
Sofia Andersson, from the Stockholm County Executive Board, remarked that this could be “one of the largest early medieval silver hoards ever found in Sweden.”
She expressed that, while they haven’t counted every coin yet, estimates suggest there may be as many as 20,000.
Many artifacts were well-preserved, although the cauldron has not fared as well.
Among these old coins, some are particularly rare. For instance, one from the 12th century mentions King Knut Eriksson, while another from Gotland features a church.
Notably, one coin has a portrait of a bishop, which authorities consider one of the most special pieces in the hoard.
“During the Middle Ages, episcopal coins—those minted for bishops—were produced in various parts of Europe,” the statement elaborated. “This treasure contains several, showcasing a bishop holding a crochet in his right hand.”
Archaeologists are currently documenting and studying these coins.
The county board plans to report this find to the Swedish National Heritage Board, which will determine whether the state should buy the treasure, effectively compensating the finder.
Andersson acknowledged the actions of the discoverer, reinforcing that Swedish law mandates the reporting of such finds for potential government remuneration.
Officials confirmed, “The finder took the right step by contacting us at the County Board of Supervisors.”
According to the Cultural and Environmental Law, it’s required for anyone who finds ancient silver treasures to present them to the state for redemption.
This find adds to a series of noteworthy coin discoveries across Scandinavia in recent times.
For example, a British plumber uncovered a collection of ancient coins in a field this year, which will go to auction in 2025.
A family in Britain found a stash of Tudor coins in their backyard back in 2020, and those will be auctioned in Zurich this upcoming November.
