Vikings valued their silver currency by weight rather than the specific value systems set in place by other kingdoms at the time. When they made transactions, they needed to have scales and weight with them so that they could weigh out the exact desired amount of silver.^[2] The fact that only the weight and purity of the silver mattered to the vikings in trade indicates that there was still no centralized government in place that could enforce a unified system of currency. This is supported by the fact that the Great Army, which invaded England during this time, was not a homogenous unit, but a gathering of smaller units each following a different leader that often diverged from each other and followed their own, independent agendas.^[3]

This weight was found in Wales, so whether it belonged to a Norse trader or a Welsh trader still means that there was trade happening between the Welsh and the Norse. Offa’s Dyke had cut Wales off from England during the 8th century, meaning that Wales identified more with Ireland than the rest of England and that they didn’t involve themselves in England’s war with the vikings. Ireland, however, had a strong Scandinavian influence at this time, what with the establishment of Dublin and other smaller viking bases dotted across the country. It is possible that this weight is left over with trade between Wales and the Irish vikings. There had also been viking raids taking place in northern Wales throughout the mid-800s and early-900s that could have been the purpose for the weight’s location.^[4] One more possibility is that, after the Irish drove the vikings from Ireland in the early-900s, the vikings then settled in places like northern Wales.^[5] Any of these interactions between the Welsh and vikings could have seen this weight left behind in Wales, but because this weight was discovered closer to the southern coast of Wales, trade with Ireland is the most likely possibility.