Skaill Viking Silver Trove

The Skaill Viking Silver trove was uncovered by a Scottish boy in 1858. David Linklater wasn't actually seeking a treasure. Spotting a rabbit, he gave chase, causing the poor frightened animal to run at full speed to its hole of a home on a mound called the Castle o' Snusgar located northeast of the Bay o' Skaill in Scotland. Either the rabbit was truly beautiful or young David was truly enthusiastic. Rather than heading home, David started to dig into the rabbit's home, trying to catch the rabbit.

Then, he was distracted. Instead of finding the rabbit, David found a number of silver rings. As he's more interested in the sport of hunting than the reward of treasure hunting, he didn't give much thought about his discovery, deciding to alert some locals. On March 11, a group of seaweed gatherers made it a point to investigate deeper into David's claims. In the end, they excavated more than 100 pieces of Viking silver. Believed to be deposited as early as 950AD, it was the largest Viking hoard ever found on Scottish soil. Later, the Crown took possession of the treasure and sent it to Edinburgh for safekeeping.

Weighing approximately 8 kg, the Skaill silver trove is composed of "nine brooches, 14 necklets, 27 armlets and an assortment of ingots and silver fragments." In design, some of the objects evoke Manx and Irish Sea styles. Along with these silver items, there are also some Anglo-Saxon and Arablic coins. Despite their many conquests across Europe, the presence of the Arabic coins showed that the Vikings were also avid traders. Some scholars suggest that the silver rings might have been some form of payment since there was no standard currency in those days.

While the ritual burial of valuables were practiced by pagan Vikings, it's highly unlikely that the Skaill silver treasure was such a motive. Since the silver objects were deposited in a stone kist, it's reasonable to assume that the original owner intended to go back to it when things stabilize. Around this time, the Vikings certainly buried a lot of silver as they were being driven out Britain.

If the Vikings could find a trusted silver buyer, there's no doubt that they would surely choose to sell silver rather than burying them. Unlike the Vikings, you have a choice. Why bury your silver when you can get instant cash for silver? Don't be a Viking. Choose wisely.