Record

Finger ring bezel, ingot and rod

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found at Iona Abbey, Iona

Postcard of Finger ring bezel, ingot and rod.
000-100-043-901-C
© National Museums Scotland

Finger ring bezel, ingot and rod

These three objects were found with over 360 Anglo-Saxon coins, buried at Iona Abbey on Iona between 986 and 990. They form an unusual and exotic group compared with other Viking Age hoards.

The silver and gold bezel from a finger ring is probably Anglo-Saxon in origin, and shows signs of wear. The silver ingot was of purely bullion value, as was the gold rod. However, gold is not common in Scottish Viking Age hoards or settlement finds.

The Iona Abbey hoard contained over 360 coins, probably the largest number in any Scottish Viking Age hoard, together with these three objects. It may well be a savings hoard, buried for safety during a Viking raid which is known to have occurred in 986.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-043-901-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 715
Date: Deposited between 986 and 990
Material: Silver; one end tapered like a bracelet; bent into a pointed oval
Dimensions: 5.25" L
What: Bar
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Argyll, Iona
Event:
Description: Bar of silver with one end tapered like a bracelet, bent into a pointed oval, found with a hoard of 10th century Anglo-Saxon coins at Iona Abbey
References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100). Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland, 1995, pp. 49-50, 147. 
Translations:
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