Finland: metal detector enthusiast discovers 4.5 kilograms of Viking-era silver coins

A metal detecting enthusiast has uncovered thousands of coins and several silver objects in Sysmä, southern Finland, dating back to the Viking era. The hoard, estimated to weigh 4.5 kilograms, is described by archaeologists as the largest ever found in the country from this period.

Kalle Lappinen spotted the first coins on September 3, 2026, near the center of this locality in the Päijät-Häme region. He immediately reported his find to the heritage authorities. The following day, the site was inspected, and the objects were recovered under the direction of Esko Tikkala, an archaeologist from the Lahti museums.

The artifacts were located in two birch bark containers buried among stones, approximately 45 centimeters deep. The two caches were separated by about twelve meters. The preservation of this organic material is itself a rare occurrence in Finland’s acidic soils.

In addition to the coins, researchers collected a cut fragment of silver, a bracelet, a decorative item, and a silver bead. The coins have not yet been cleaned, separated, or counted. Therefore, their exact number, final weight, and precise dating remain to be established.

Previous record significantly surpassed

According to the Lahti museums, this is the largest known monetary hoard from the late Iron Age in Finland, a period that locally corresponds to the Viking era. The previous record dated back to a discovery made in Nousiainen in 1895, which included approximately 1,700 coins and objects, weighing a total of 2.2 kilograms.

The detailed study is expected to help identify the origin of the coins and the period during which the two caches were buried. Specialists are also awaiting birch bark remains to provide information on the preservation conditions and the archaeological context of the hoard.