At Douglas Courthouse on Thursday 29th June, fourteen pieces of significant Viking Age silver were declared to be “Treasure Trove” by the Coroner of Inquests.

First discovered in 2016, by metal detectorist Stuart Watts, the artefacts date to around AD 950 and represent the wealth of a Viking trader.

The pieces come from silver arm-rings that would have been worn to display wealth, and they were also used to pay for things.  Before coins became widely accepted as forms of payment, chunks of silver could be hacked off bangles such as these, and then exchanged for the desired goods.  

Allison Fox, Curator: Archaeology at Manx National Heritage said; “The Isle of Man was such an important part of the Viking trading area that Viking silver has been discovered a few times before.  However, every discovery can tell us a little bit more about this time on the Island.  This hoard is of particular interest in a Manx context because it contains no coins, only the pieces of arm-rings, or hack-silver.” 

Manx National Heritage would like to extend their thanks Stuart and the landowners for their assistance and support throughout the Treasure Trove process.

The treasure will go on display at the Manx Museum, Douglas until early August.

Photo - Allison Fox, Curator of Archaeology for Manx National Heritage, pictured with some of the high-status Viking artefacts.