Trending Now - Massive Viking Coin Hoard Discovered, Sparking Mystery

WHO:

NY Post - Treasure hunters Rune Sætre and Vegard Sørlie discovered the hoard.

Fox News - Archaeologist Jostein Bergstøl of the Museum of Cultural History commented on the find.

Fox News - Hanna Geiran, director general of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, expressed her amazement at the discovery.

Fox News - May-Tove Smiseth, an archaeologist from Innlandet County Authority, praised the treasure hunters for their actions.

WHAT:

NY Post - The discovery is one of the largest Viking coin hoards ever found.

Fox News - The hoard consists of 2,970 silver coins believed to have been buried around 1047.

Fox News - The coins were minted between the 980s and the 1040s and include names of rulers such as Æthelred II, Otto III, Harald Hardrada, and King Cnut.

Fox News - The hoard is described as "a coin hoard without parallel in a Norwegian context."

WHERE:

Fox News - The hoard was found in a field near Rena, about 18 miles north of Elverum in southeastern Norway.

WHEN:

Fox News - The coins are believed to have been buried around 1047.

WHY:

Fox News - Researchers speculate the hoard may be tied to the region's booming iron trade during the Viking Age.

HOW:

Fox News - Sætre and Sørlie contacted local officials at Innlandet County Authority after their discovery, leading to a major archaeological investigation.

Fox News - The treasure hunters followed proper procedures and guidelines set by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 18:04 UTC)

Treasure hunters Rune Sætre and Vegard Sørlie have made an incredible discovery in a field near Rena, Norway, unearthing one of the largest Viking coin hoards ever found, consisting of 2,970 silver coins believed to have been buried around 1047. Archaeologist Jostein Bergstøl and Hanna Geiran, director general of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, expressed their amazement at the find, while May-Tove Smiseth from the Innlandet County Authority praised the hunters for their responsible actions that led to a significant archaeological investigation. The coins, minted between the 980s and the 1040s, feature the names of notable rulers such as Æthelred II and King Cnut, and researchers suggest the hoard may be linked to the region's thriving iron trade during the Viking Age.