Metal detectors in hand, 2 men uncover giant hoard of ancient coins

Two detectorists recently uncovered real-life treasure in a Norwegian field: thousands of coins dating back to the Viking Age.

The discovery began when the two private men found 19 silver coins on Friday, April 10, in a field near Rena in Østerdalen, about 45 miles from Oslo, Norway's capital. The hobbyists suspected they'd located a cache of coins and contacted local authorities.

Researchers from the University of Oslo's Museum of Cultural History certified the find and said in a news release on April 29 that the cache of 2,970 silver coins is the largest Viking Age coin hoard in Norwegian history.

The hoard was deposited around 1047, the release said. The find is extremely rare, with the last similar spotting occurring in 1950.

"This is a historic discovery," said Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. "The fact that it is also from the Viking Age makes it even more spectacular."

What kind of coins were found?

The coins include English, German, Danish and Norwegian pieces minted under Cnut the Great, Æthelred II, Otto III, and Harald Hardrada, kings of Norway, England and Italy, between the 980s and 1040s.

Archaeologist Jostein Bergstøl believes the coins were stored in the area due to iron production that occurred in the region between 900s and 1200s, the release said. During that period, Vikings extracted ores from bogs and processed iron, which was later exported to Europe. The coins are likely revenue from the trade, he said.

Earlier excavations of the area conducted by the museum found evidence of industrial-scale iron extraction.

Bergstøl and other scientists will continue an archaeological excavation of the field. As a result, access to the area is restricted. Historically significant finds are protected under the Cultural Heritage Act of Norway, the release said.

What will happen to the coins?

The coins will be transported to the Coin Cabinet at the Museum of Cultural History, where they will be catalogued and studied for years to come, the museum confirmed.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].