78 Carolingian silver coins, 63 whole, 15 broken or in pieces. 47 Denarii with the mark of Louis the Pious (814-841), 27 of the Dorestad type, with the mark of Lothar I (840-855), and 2 with the mark of Charles the Bald (840-877). Because there are no coins dated later than 850, it is assumed that the treasure was buried about this time.
Louis the Pious was the successor of Charlemagne. Even while he was alive, his sons argued about their inheritance, especially since Louis' youngest son wanted a share. After Louis' death, the empire was divided between his three sons. Louis the German got the eastern Frankish empire, Charles the Bald the western, and Lothar the long, middle section, with the Kaiser's crown. The lowlands lay largely in the middle empire, so Friesland and the area east of the Scheldt river went to Lothar. Wieringen was therefore, a part of the Middle empire of Lothar I.

The coins are the most important evidence that the treasure dates to about 850 A.D.
 
 

Last updated: 19-3-2002