700s–900s Abbasid Dynasty Dirham Viking Coin

1,000-Year-Old Viking Coins!

“From the fury of the Northmen deliver us, O Lord.”
—Medieval prayer for protection against the Vikings

Known as the “Hammer of the North,” the Vikings were well-known—and feared—for their savage raids that spread their influence across the coast of Northern Europe and down rivers that wound their way deep into the continent’s interior. More than just Berserkers, the Vikings were also shrewd businessmen who established trade partnerships as far south as Baghdad’s Abbasid Dynasty on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. Sailing south down the Volga River, the Vikings encountered the Abbasids with whom they exchanged goods. In the early days of the Viking Age, which lasted roughly from 793 to 1066, the Viking economy was based on the barter system because they didn’t have coins. Whatever coins the Vikings possessed were either received through payment for goods or were stolen since they didn’t mint their own coins until the later years of their dominance.

Among The First Coins Used By The Vikings

Here you have an Abbasid Dynasty Silver Dirham, a coin that was among the first coins the Vikings encountered. These are coins of two worlds—first minted by the powerful Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad and then appropriated by the Vikings and used for their own purposes. The Vikings rampaged across Europe from the late 8th through the 11th century, their ships crossed the Atlantic 500 years before Columbus, they participated in the Crusades, and were feared by both the Byzantines and Arabs. The 3-gram coins available here are unusual in that they are “whole.” The Vikings often broke these coins into pieces and traded them based on the silver value of the fragments. Coins like these were found in Viking hoards as far away as Scotland, further evidence of the Vikings’ far-reaching influence.

Add One Of These Viking Coins To Your Collection Today!

Without the Vikings, the English language would be missing a treasure trove of descriptive words like “berserk,” “ugly,” “muck,” “knife,” “die,” and “cake.” The word “skull” comes form the Viking word “Skol,” a chant warriors used to urge each other on in battle that meant they would be drinking from the skulls of their enemies by nightfall. The Vikings weren’t all blood and guts; however, they were also sensitive souls. While they didn’t say, “l Iove you,” Viking men expressed their feelings to their women by saying, “You are my Valkyrie, and I would follow you across the nine realms and into eternity.”

Fortunately for you, there’s no need to climb aboard a Viking longship and sail across eternity for one of these coins. Simply click one to your cart. Each comes displayed in a mini folder along with an informative storycard. Secure yours now!