Archaeologists Discover 1,000-Year-Old Anglo-Saxon Coin in Scotland

Archaeologists in Scotland have uncovered an Anglo-Saxon coin dating back 1,000 years, minted under King Ethelred the Unready. The coin was found during an excavation in Nesting, a coastal community in Scotland’s eastern Shetland Islands, as part of a project investigating prehistoric structures threatened by coastal erosion, according to Archaeology Shetland. The coin, which depicts King Ethelred the Unready, who ruled England from 978 to 1013 A.D., was minted between 991 and 997 A.D. The coin's surface shows a thick, greenish-brown patina, although some original markings remain visible. Ethelred is known for his unsuccessful attempts to repel Viking invasions and was eventually displaced by Danish King Swein Forkbeard. He regained the throne in 1014 and ruled until his death in 1016, making him the longest-reigning Anglo-Saxon monarch. Elinor Graham, an archaeologist from the University of Aberdeen, participated in the excavation while on vacation in Shetland. Graham remarked, "This is exactly how I wanted to spend my holiday," adding that the writing on the coin is still sharp and that it is extremely rare. The discovery may provide insights into ancient trade routes between Viking-controlled Shetland and Anglo-Saxon England, although researchers have not ruled out the possibility that the coin was taken during a Norse raid. Graham noted that another Anglo-Saxon coin was previously found at Old Scatness, but this latest find represents the northernmost discovery of its kind. Scotland’s Treasure Trove Unit will decide if the artifact will be offered to a museum, and Graham expressed hope that it will be added to the collections at the Shetland Museum and Archives. She stated that the discovery indicates the area may have once been home to a well-connected community with trading links to Anglo-Saxon England. Graham highlighted the region's rich history spanning the Bronze Age, Iron Age, early medieval period, and into the Viking Norse period. Earlier this year, archaeologists also found a nearly 1,750-year-old Roman coin during a railway construction project in England, and a metal detectorist in Scotland discovered a 900-year-old coin believed to be the oldest ever minted in the country.