© Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, Norway (CC BY 4.0)
© Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, Norway (CC BY 4.0)
1 Penning ND
| Silver | - | - |
| Issuer | Norway |
|---|---|
| King | Olav Kyrre (1066-1093) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1065-1080 |
| Value | 1 Penning |
| Currency | Penning (995-1387) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#121725 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Two lined cross, surrounded by the inscription in runes.
Lettering: kunar a mot pita
Translation: Gunnar owns this stamp
Comment
Anonymous coin minted during the early reign of Olav Kyrre (1067-1093AD).In August 1957, this type of coin was found at the Goddard Site in Brooklin, Maine. Speculation has it that this coin would have been brought to the site by Native traders, since it post-dates the abandonment of the only known Norse settlements in North America. However, the provenance of this coin, claimed to have been found at the site by an amateur archaeologist and old coin collector, is now disputed. While there is no argument about the coin itself being authentic, serious questions have been raised about its actual discovery. Having exposed the "Viking treasure" for decades prominently displayed in the Royal Ontario Museum as a hoax, archaeologist Dr. Edmund Carpenter raised similar concerns with respect to the Norse penny and concluded: "Not proven." The site has shown no evidence of other Norse artifacts.
From Wikipedia.
Interesting fact
The 1 Penning coin was minted during the reign of King Olaf III, also known as Olaf the Peaceful, who ruled Norway from 1067 to 1093. During his reign, Olaf III implemented a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the Norwegian economy and centralizing power. The introduction of the 1 Penning coin, which was made of silver and had a standardized design, was likely part of these reforms. The coin's design featured a cross on one side and the king's name on the other, symbolizing the connection between the king and the Christian faith. Despite being minted over 900 years ago, some of these coins have survived to this day and are highly sought after by collectors.
