Archaeologists recently uncovered a rare medieval hoard near Stockholm, Sweden, containing mostly silver coins, jewelry, and pearls. The treasure was hidden in a copper vessel, which has almost completely oxidized over 800 years, yet its contents have remarkably survived. The total weight of the find is approximately 6 kg of silver, and the estimated number of coins reaches 20,000, making it one of the largest hoards discovered in the Stockholm region in recent decades.
The hoard was found by chance when a landowner stumbled upon metal objects and reported the discovery to the local authorities, as required by Swedish cultural heritage law. Specialists verified the archaeological significance of the find, which is now registered as an object of national importance.
The coins date to the 12th century, a period when Sweden was forming the foundations of its state. This transitional era between the Viking Age and the emergence of a centralized monarchy saw power gradually shift from regional chieftains to the king. During this time, King Knut Eriksson (1167–1195) worked to strengthen the country’s unity and introduce a more stable monetary system. Several coins bearing the inscription KANUTUS confirm the hoard’s connection to his reign.
The 12th century was also a time of active Christianization in Sweden, with the construction of stone churches, the establishment of monastic schools, and the regulation of taxes and trade. Among the finds were “bishop coins,” issued with the involvement of church authorities, which served both as currency and as symbols of ecclesiastical power.
Geographically, the hoard provides insight into life before the founding of Stockholm, which at the time consisted of small settlements and estates along trade routes to Lake Mälaren. The hoard reflects the wealth and active silver trade in the region, likely connected to Baltic and Gotland markets.
The reason the treasure was buried remains unknown, but it was likely hidden during a period of unrest, possibly due to warfare or internal conflict. The hoard’s combination of coins and personal jewelry suggests it belonged to a wealthy family, possibly connected to the church or local trade. Some researchers propose it may have been associated with church property, while others consider it a merchant’s reserve that was never retrieved.
Conservation and study of the hoard are being carried out by specialists from Stockholm University and its Institute of Numismatics, where medieval Swedish coin circulation is examined. In parallel, the Medieval Museum in Stockholm (Medeltidsmuseet) is documenting the conservation process and planning a temporary exhibition to display part of the cleaned coins and jewelry.
This hoard is not only a collection of silver but also a historical record, preserving information on trade networks, cultural influences, and social structures of the 12th century. Chemical analysis of the silver will help determine its origin and reconstruct medieval trade routes.
Over the coming months, archaeologists will compile a full catalogue of the coins and artifacts, with plans to publish the findings in scientific journals. Researchers hope the hoard will provide new insights into Sweden’s political and economic history and the early development of Stockholm.