Penning, Sigtuna, Olof Skötkonung, circa 1000–1020

This coin was made in Sigtuna, and the design is influenced by coins from the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire was one of the most powerful powers in the world in around 1000 AD, along with the Caliphate and the Holy Roman Empire. The most important city was Constantinople, which the Scandinavians called Miklagård. Coins had been made there since Roman times.

The Vikings began importing Byzantine coins into Sweden in the 10th century AD. Imports culminated under the Byzantine emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII (976–1025). Many Byzantine coins were used as jewellery. We can tell this because holes were made in them, or loops were added to them.

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

Object number: 119724_KMK

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