A relatively famous hoard which consists of 223 sceattas is the hoard which was found at Hallum in the Dutch province of Fryslân (Friesland). The coins were contained in a ball formed pot and are dated between 650 and 750. The original hoard can be admired at the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden.
The word sceatta, is an Old English word which meant ‘treasure’ or ‘wealth’. Some Dutch folks might recognize this word, since it’s cognate to the Dutch word ‘schat’ and has kept the same meaning to this day. Numerous types of sceattas exist and have been found in Frisia, England and Denmark. These coins were the main type of coinage used and struck in Frisia during the reign of the Frisian king Redbad in the seventh century. After 750 the sceattas suddenly disappeared from circulation, which was probably due to the incorporation of West-Frisia in the Carolingian Empire. The Carolingian denarius replaced the sceatta from then onwards.
Sources and further reading:
- Buis, P., & M. W. Van IJzendoorn, Kennemerland in metaalvondsten (Castricum 2021).
- Nicolay, J., et al., ‘Hallum: ‘nieuwe Friezen’ in beeld’ in: A. Nieuwhof, J. Nicolay en J. Wiersma (red.), De geschiedenis van terpen- en wierdenland (2018) 149-172.
- https://www.friesmuseum.nl/.../objec.../muntschat-van-hallum
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