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Finland Uncovers Largest Late Iron Age Coin Hoard

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Lappinen Uncovers Hoard

Metal detectorist Kalle Lappinen uncovered Finland’s largest Late Iron Age coin hoard near Sysmä on 3 September 2026.
Archaeologist Esko Tikkala of Lahti Museums directed the excavation on 4 September 2026.
The hoard, weighing about 4.5 kg, includes thousands of coins, a silver bracelet, a mount, a bead and hack silver.
The previous Finnish record was the 1895 Nousiainen hoard with 1,700 coins weighing 2.2 kg.

Summary

Researchers Reveal Trade

Researchers uncovered Islamic dirhams in a Finnish hoard, linking Finland to long-distance Viking trade networks.
Experts say Finland was not part of Viking political culture despite the Viking Age label.
The discovery follows record-breaking Viking hoards in Denmark and Norway earlier in 2026, suggesting a regional surge.
Preliminary valuation puts the silver at almost $10,000 and notes the hoard mirrors Gotland’s 150-pound Spillings Hoard.

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Lappinen Uncovers Hoard

Metal detectorist Kalle Lappinen uncovered Finland’s largest Late Iron Age coin hoard near Sysmä on 3 September 2026.
Archaeologist Esko Tikkala of Lahti Museums directed the excavation on 4 September 2026.
The hoard, weighing about 4.5 kg, includes thousands of coins, a silver bracelet, a mount, a bead and hack silver.
The previous Finnish record was the 1895 Nousiainen hoard with 1,700 coins weighing 2.2 kg.

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