Penning, Svealand, Erik Eriksson, 1222–1229, 1234–1250

The inscription REX VPSALIE (= King of Uppsala) is written around a small cross. The coin weighs 0.37 gram and has a high silver content. The coin may have been issued by Erik Eriksson. He was king of Sweden for two periods, from 1222 to 1229 and from 1234 to 1250.

As rex means leader/king and Vpsalie may mean the Uppsala region, it is possible that “Rex Vpsalie” means “chieftain of the Uppland folklands”. We do not know who this refers to, but it could be Jarl Ulf Fase. The jarl was the king’s closest relative.

This specimen was found in 1951 during an archaeological survey of the ruins of Västerhus kapell (chapel) on the island of Frösön in Jämtland.

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

Object number: 100509_KMK

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