VIKING SILVER INGOT

[mattdiver]

I originally found 10 pieces of a Viking hack silver hoard 15 years ago.This includes 3 silver arabic dirham coins 2 halves of silver torc and some hacked bracelet and ingots. My initial find was a silver Dirham and then a half of silver arm torc which were about 10 metres apart. At the time the field had not been ploughed in years. By chance the farmer ploughed the field that same year and I found more items of silver. I reported the find adhering to the rules of the Treasure Act. The site was surveyed then by local archaeologist group using geophysics and some test trenches were dug. No more silver was found. I have worked this field every year since original find 15 years ago trying not to give up hope .I kept finding modern items but no viking silver until now... In November the field had just been ploughed again. I gave it a go and found the silver ingot in the same area I found original find . It weighs 25.6 gram .It was only 1 inch in soil .I got smaller piece of silver 1 metre away also. I couldn't believe it .After all this time. I knew there was more to find .The plough has brought it from sub soil .The field belongs to new landowner now who bought it few years ago .He is over the moon with find and potential for more .He is a big landowner and now has given me permission for his entire estate. The find has been reported and is in the British Museum being analysed. I have tried hoard hunter on site . No joy.Will ask farmer to take some top soil of the area. The 10 original finds are in local museum. IT was dated to about 912 AD due to date of last coin.Earliest coin was 898 AD Will keep hunting. Never give up on good sites!

 

[lonewolfe]

Nice!

HH

 

[Fitzwilk]

Nice find! How many acres is the landowner's estate?

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[CRUSADER]

Cool, I've yet to get a hoard but I will never forget my ingot which was the only one in our area GPSed & is on its way to the local Museum. These are not very commercial & my complete one was under £100. A joke really, but its not about the money for me anyway, like I sure its not for you.

 

[mattdiver]

Yes you are right.Its not about the money to me but to save it from the ground. Matt..

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

I am sure our mates across the pond don't find these ingots every day, I have only seen one other posted here and like that one it is Banner worthy indeed. Viking silver, wow.
ZDD

 

[scrapdoggie]

That's a great find alright, I wish I had that sort of history to sort through in the soil in Florida. 912 A.D. is so hard to wrap my brain around. Your a lucky individual and those land owners are even luckier that you are......Congrats !

 

[jewelerguy]

sweet!

 

[G.A.P.metal]

Very nice find

 

[JimDon]

Simply amazing. Congratulations on yet another treasure find.

 

[CoilyGirl]

That is a big chunk of silver,nice!

 

[CoinFetcher]

Any idea of the context of the find? Is that a standard ingot? What was the cast? What would that get you? a cow? A peck of cabbage?

 

[CRUSADER]

Any idea of the context of the find? Is that a standard ingot? What was the cast? What would that get you? a cow? A peck of cabbage?

A silver penny of the time was just a little over 1g & would buy 1 sheep, as this is 25, you could buy 25 sheep! So in other words a small fortune. Now adays its value would only buy you about 2 sheep!

 

[dig kzoo]

What a great find!

 

[capt-zero]

Definite banner material. Your doggedness paid off. Over here we can't even dream of finding that sort of history. Especially where I live, Happy meal toys are considered antique.

 

[birdman]

That is just plan outstanding! I know you have an friend in the land owner now. More silver to be had I am sure.

 

[Gunrunner61]

EXACTLY.................Could'nt of said it amy better myself............HH

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Awesome and cool most of the hoard is in a museum! HH, Mike

 

[RON (PA)]

That is an awesome find. I would love to find something like that. Great job.