16 silver bars. Particularly in 10th century Denmark, such pieces of silver served as change. The Vikings placed more interest in the value of silver as a metal than in the forms it could take. Whether it were simple silver bars, coins, or chains - if something had to be paid for, a piece of silver was broken off until the agreed upon amount of silver was obtained. This explains why the silver bars are all different lengths.
The silver bars were cast in v-shaped molds, and therefore have a v-shaped right side, and a curved side (where the hardening silver was exposed to the air).
 
 

Last updated: 19-3-2002