Penning, Svealand, Knut Eriksson, 1167–1196

The face on this silver penning is different from Knut Eriksson’s other coins. The eyes and lips are strongly marked, and the crown is large and wide. The sword and orb, which are clearly visible on other coins, have been reduced to small lines.

The variety of royal images shows that several engravers must have been involved in the work on Knut’s coin. Not everyone can have seen the king in real life either. And maybe they did not have to do so, as these images are a symbol of the king rather than pure portraits.

This specimen was found in a hoard in Mackmyra, Gästrikland, in 1921 along with a number of other coins from Knut Eriksson’s time.

Image rights: Helena Bonnevier, Ekonomiska museet - Kungliga myntkabinettet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

Object number: 100346_KMK

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