Penning, Sigtuna, Olof Skötkonung, circa 1000–1020

Lots of square coins were made in Sigtuna. Why?

This was probably neither a coincidence nor a mistake – it must have been done deliberately. There might have been some kind of crisis that meant they needed to make lots of coins quickly. And it was quicker to make them square, rather than round! Another possibility is that the square coins were special and used only to make certain payments.

The designs on the coins from Sigtuna resembled English coins, but the idea of making them square has no connection to England – this was something the locals came up with. Square coins were virtually unknown in England.

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

Object number: 100158_KMK

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