Ingots

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These silver ingots and fragments of ingots were found at Skaill at Sandwick in Orkney. They are part of the largest Viking Age silver hoard found in Scotland, buried between 950 and 970.

Most of the ingots have nicks - small cuts made to test the purity of the silver during the circulation. Analysis has shown, however, that they were of good quality silver.

Ingots had two main purposes in the Viking Age: for storing metal for a craftsman, and as a convenient form for use in economic transactions. When found in hoards with other objects and hacksilver, the second function is more likely.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-109-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 57
• Date: Deposited between 950 and 970
  
• Material: Silver
  Silver
  Silver
  Silver
  Silver
  Silver
  Silver
  Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  Ingot
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver ingot from Skaill
  Silver ingot from Skaill
  Silver ingot from Skaill
  Silver ingot from Skaill
  Silver ingot from Skaill
  Silver ingot from Skaill
  Silver ingot from Skaill
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100), 1995, pp 40, 77, 117-8. 
• Translations:
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