Arabian coins. Right - whole;  left - change ("quarters").

The bulk of the second silver treasure consists of 61 Arabian coins, some cut. For the Netherlands, this is a unique find that, without a doubt, indicates the Viking origin of the treasure. In the Viking world, innumerable finds of Arabian coins are known. In Sweden alone more than 80,000 coins are known.
Until recently, however, the Netherlands was blessed with very few finds. Wieringen stands head and shoulders above all other findspots, with 68 Arabian coins. The national total is less than 100.
The identification of the Arabian coins is going very slowly. This is because most Middle Ages scholars are not proficient in Arabic, let alone the highly stylized Kufic script that is used on these coins. In addition, the coins are very worn. This indicates they had travelled long distances, from the Near East (Iraq/Iran) via Russian river routes, to Sweden and Denmark, and from there eventually to Wieringen. Of the coins identified so far, the earliest comes from the beginning of the 8th century, and the latest from about 860.

It is interesting to examine the cut coins. Some were bent until they broke, others were apparently cut roughly, with an axe (this can be seen by examining the broken edges). There are also coin pieces that were first bent, then cut.
 
 

Last updated: 19-3-2002