Abassid Coin
In the absence of banking systems, hoards were an obvious solution to the problem of storing wealth, though they were also created in times of unrest, so that their creators could come back and reclaim their treasure. In terms of studying material culture, they also reveal a great deal about the society being studied, such as what sort of goods it held in value, and where those goods came from. The cosmopolitan nature of hoards also demonstrates the widespread nature of connections that the Norse made in terms of raiding, and pillaging, as well as in trade.
This particular coin made in the Abassid Empire was minted in Baghdad in 772 by al-Mansur, and was found as part of the Cuerdale Hoard in Lancashire in 1840. The cut-up nature of the coin suggests that it might have been made into hack silver, or loose silver that could be used as money. Alternatively, cutting up a coin can also be a method to test for its purity, though that does not seem likely since Abassid coins were considered fairly reliable during this era.
The Cuerdale Hoard also contained silver ingots, hack silver, and other coins. These may have been stored in cloth bags, which have not survived, but whose presence is indicated by the pins that have been found; those pins likely held the bags together. The large size of the hoard suggests that it was not created by an individual. It is possible that it was created by a group of vikings expelled from Dublin in 902, possibly on their way to seek support from other vikings in Northumbria.1
The presence of coins from Central Asia suggests an extensive trade network, though given the length of time between the mint date, and the deposition date, it is also possible that such trade might have ended by this point.
Coins, especially when assessed alongside other artifacts recovered from hoards, give evidence of both normal and abnormal events in Norse society. The very fact that hoards were created would suggest that unusual circumstances forced their creators to do so. Yet their contents also provide an account of the regular activities of the Norse, which might not entirely coincide with the popular depictions of their behavior.
This particular coin made in the Abassid Empire was minted in Baghdad in 772 by al-Mansur, and was found as part of the Cuerdale Hoard in Lancashire in 1840. The cut-up nature of the coin suggests that it might have been made into hack silver, or loose silver that could be used as money. Alternatively, cutting up a coin can also be a method to test for its purity, though that does not seem likely since Abassid coins were considered fairly reliable during this era.
The Cuerdale Hoard also contained silver ingots, hack silver, and other coins. These may have been stored in cloth bags, which have not survived, but whose presence is indicated by the pins that have been found; those pins likely held the bags together. The large size of the hoard suggests that it was not created by an individual. It is possible that it was created by a group of vikings expelled from Dublin in 902, possibly on their way to seek support from other vikings in Northumbria.1
The presence of coins from Central Asia suggests an extensive trade network, though given the length of time between the mint date, and the deposition date, it is also possible that such trade might have ended by this point.
Coins, especially when assessed alongside other artifacts recovered from hoards, give evidence of both normal and abnormal events in Norse society. The very fact that hoards were created would suggest that unusual circumstances forced their creators to do so. Yet their contents also provide an account of the regular activities of the Norse, which might not entirely coincide with the popular depictions of their behavior.
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