The early coinage

The coins in the display case are grouped according to period and minting area. The first group (1-19) consists of coins minted in Sigtuna during the period around 995-1035. The group also contains two Danish coins that show a clear connection to Sigtuna (20-21). The other three groups consist of coins minted in Svealand (22-59), Götaland (60-79) and Gotland (80-85) in the period around 1150-1290. The coins minted for jarls or archbishops are located separately within each group (56-59, 79, 85).

The history of Swedish coinage began with a brief period of minting in Sigtuna. Coins were produced there from around 995 to 1035, initially by English experts. After around 1035, coin production in Sweden stopped. But around 1150 the minting of coins was resumed. The coins then had different weight and value depending on whether they were made in the region of Götaland, Svealand or Gotland. They circulated mainly in their area of manufacture, but could also be used outside of it. Most of the coins were minted by the king, but the right to issue coins was also given to some jarls (the king’s closest men) and archbishops. It is not clear who issued the coins produced on Gotland. Around 1290, a coinage reform was carried out which meant that the whole country got a common coinage system.

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