Axe Scabbard Or Helmet Decoration Viking Anglo Saxon Medieval Style 925 Sterling
Item History & Price
Reference Number: Avaluer:667948 |
solid sterling silver 925 Ag, 92.5% silver unmarked 4.9 grams
Hand made by me. last photo is of museum pieces
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"S...ilver was very important in the Viking Age. The metal was easy to mould, cut, and its near indestructible nature allowed Vikings, and other groups, to hoard it underground. Silver fragments of arm-rings, coins, ingots, rods, etc. that have been purposely cut are referred to as ‘hacksilver’. The image above shows several pieces of hacksilver that were found as a part of a silver hoard in Kaupang. The numerous hoards of hacksilver that have been found across the Viking world indicate that fragmented silver was used as currency, and that the price of an object was paid for by the weight and quality of silver. The images below show a set of bronze scales and weights used in the Viking Age. This bullion economy was based on Islamic influences, and it quickly spread from Russia to the Jutlandic Peninsula by the end of the 9th century. Cut Islamic dirhams weren’t an unusual occurrence in silver hoards. The spread of Islamic dirhams has circulated all throughout the Viking world, and new evidence has shown that dirhams have even been found at the Torksey, a winter camp for the Great Army from AD 872- 873."
other photo is of an actual Viking treasure hoard found.