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This past autumn a rare gold shilling – called a thrymsa – was found in a field near Norwich by a metal-detectorist. It represents a completely new type of coin, dated to the 7th century and containing both Christian and pagan symbols, reflecting the changing religious practices of this period. Due to this significance, it has become only the second individual coin from Norfolk to be submitted for consideration as Treasure.
The coin was examined by Adrian Marsden, the numismatist for Norfolk County Council. He found that the obverse side of the coin depicts a crowned man with his legs crossed, perhaps dancing. He also appears to being holding a cross in his left hand, placing it on top of a symbol of three interlocking triangles. Today, this symbol is known as the valknut and is believed to be a Norse symbol associated with the god Odin and his power over life and death. The same symbol has been found in several archaeological contexts throughout Scandinavia, including two large 7th-century memorials known as picture stones: one from Tangelgarda and the other from Stora Hammars, both in Gotland, Sweden. It has also been found engraved on the bezel of a ring that was found in the River Nene, near Ely, in the 19th century. By contrast, the cross in the man’s hand has obvious Christian links, while his head – which is abnormally large – and his crown evoke the diademed heads of the Christian emperors that appeared on coins of the late Roman Empire.
The coin’s reverse features a cross in the middle of a quatrefoil shape. This is then surrounded by a double circle of dots, while the outside edge of the coin has a series of pseudo-letters which appear to be a crude attempt to mimic Latin characters. Together, the decorations form a mix of both pagan and Christian iconography, perhaps reflecting Anglo-Saxon East Anglia’s slow shift towards adopting Christianity (a transition which might also explain why some 7th-century burials from the region, such as at Sutton Hoo, include both pagan and Christian elements).
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Images: Norfolk County Council
