Penning, Svealand, archbishop, cirka 1190

The seat of the Archbishopric was established in Uppsala (now Gamla Uppsala, Old Uppsala) in 1164. Its first archbishop was Stefan, who died in 1185. Later archbishops had rights to issue coins, possibly until around 1215.

The motif on this coin is an outstretched hand holding a bishop’s staff in a firm grip. The hand is the protective hand of the Church. The staff symbolises the bishop as a shepherd. Within the Church, the bishop is like a shepherd leading his flock. As only bishops carried such staffs, it is assumed that the coin was issued for the Archbishopric. The coin may have been minted in around 1190.

Image rights: Helena Bonnevier, Ekonomiska museet - Kungliga myntkabinettet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

Object number: 100396_KMK

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