Särpräglat : Vikingatida och tidigmedeltida myntfynd från Danmark, Skåne, Blekinge och Halland (ca 800-1130)

Sammanfattning: This thesis takes as its subject the Viking-Age and early medieval coin finds from South Scandinavia (i.e. Denmark and the provinces Scania, Blekinge and Halland in southern Sweden). The study consists of two parts. The first part is an analysis of regional variations in the distribution of coin finds from the investigation area. The second part is a catalogue of recorded coin finds from South Scandinavia from the period c.800-c.1130 (about 70,000 coins from 692 finds). The regional variations are mainly studied through hoard composition and the distribution of coins with diverse origins. The study is therefore based on a wide range of material, comprising coins of Islamic, Carolingian, German, Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian (Nordic, Anglo-Scandinavian and Danish) origin.Regional characteristics are visible from the outset and prove to be relatively consistent over time. Similarities are observed over a large territory, the ‘central area’, which includes south-western Scania, Zealand, Funen and Jutland. During the 9th century the earliest Nordic and Carolingian coins occur in this area. Many of them are found at ‘central places’ dating to the Iron Age. A shift is seen in the 10th century, when later Nordic coins appear to relate to ring-forts, which were in active use in the central area at that time. In the 990s a general increase in the importation of German and Anglo-Saxon coins is apparent. The city of Lund was established in Scania, and from c.995 Lund was a mint. The hoards in the central area contain a higher proportion of Anglo-Saxon coins than hoards from other parts of South Scandinavia. Mints were established in all regions of the central area, and a regional coin circulation was introduced c.1075.Bornholm differs in several ways from the central area. During the 9th century Carolingian and Nordic coins of the earliest types did not reach the island, but there are several finds of Islamic coins dating to this time. In the 10th century there are few Nordic coins of the later Cross-types. In the 990s, when the number of German and Anglo-Saxon coins being imported increased, many Anglo-Saxon coins also reached Bornholm. However, a shift occurred c.1000 and all subsequent hoards until the beginning of the 12th century were dominated by German coins. The number of Danish coins also decreased in Bornholm after c.1050-55, in direct contrast with the situation in the central area. Finally, a mint was never established in Bornholm.When a long term perspective is taken the other regions in South Scandinavia do not correspond with developments in the central area, or on Bornholm. These regions are instead characterised by their relative dearth of coin finds and the absence of mints. There are, however, significant connections at specific points in time.The context of hoards from Scania (c.990-c.1046) has also been examined. A major increase of hoards c.1000 has often been explained as a reflection of political aggression resulting from the incorporation of Scania into the Danish kingdom. This thesis argues that the increase of hoards is more likely to have been related to the activities of the mints in the different regions.