Viking memorial pendant discovered near King's Lynn
It's been declared treasure by Norfolk Corner's Court and will now be valued
Last updated 18th Aug 2022
A Viking memorial penny has been found by a metal detectorist near King's Lynn.
The silver coin pendant is believed to be from between 890 and 915AD has been declared treasure by Norfolk Corner's Court, after it was uncovered in Congham.
It's dedicated to St Edmund, King of East Anglia- and is likely to have been worn to advertise it's wearers Christianity.
"If you are going to find something like this it's probably going to be found in Norfolk"
Dr Adrian Marsden is the Numismatist for Norfolk historic environment.
He told us why it's a significant find:
"Seeing Christian inspired items like this is very uncommon. A penny amounts to a days wages so you are then sacrificing something to wear it round your neck. But, it's not a huge amount of money so many people could have afforded to have done that. Were it something that were fancy and made of gold, we might speculate that the person was quite a bit wealthier".
"It's about the size of a 5p or 1p piece today- but a bit thinner. It's produce around 900AD in East Anglia, which is being run by the Romans at this time, after they took over in the 860-870AD".
"If you are going to find something like this it's probably going to be found in Norfolk, as this is where the St Edmund memorial pennies are made, they are not made anywhere else. But of course, they could move because if the wearers move, so does the pendant".
It will now be valued by the Treasure valuation committee- with the Norwich Castle hoping to buy it.