Illustration of a Viking longship
A Viking hoard discovered by a metal detectorist on the Isle of Man has been declared a “Treasure Trove”.
Seth Crowe discovered a small silver ingot, a cut rectangular ingot, and part of a silver brooch, about six inches beneath the surface in April last year at Ballaseyr Farm, Andreas, last April.
His discoveries come four years after another metal detectorst found a similar silver ingot in the same location, with all the pieces likely to be from the same hoard dating from between 930 and 980 AD according to the Manx Museum.
Archaeologists believe that ingots like these were used as currency in Viking times, with this hoard possibly buried for safe-keeping during a turbulent period. As they were hidden but never retrieved, Coroner Joh Needham said that the finds should be declared a treasure trove, with trustees of the Manx National Heritage now deciding whether they want to acquire the artefacts for the national collection.
The items will be independently valued, with Mr Crowe receiving the market rate. In a separate agreement with the Leslie Faragher of Ballaseyr Farm to split any proceeds.