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Penning, Norway, Olaf Tryggvason, circa 995–1000

Olaf Tryggvason, king of Norway, began minting coins based on the English model in around 995 AD. We don’t know exactly where in Norway the coins were minted.

The inscription “ONLAF REX NOR” (Olaf King of Norway) can be seen on the obverse (front) of this coin. The coin is well made, but comparatively small in size. It’s very rare, and only a few are known to have survived.

The Norwegian coins are reminiscent of the first coins from Sigtuna and Denmark because of the name Godwine on them and the English Crux coin type.

Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

Object number: 3001087

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