Vålse Vig

Prior to land reclamation in the 1800s, in the expansive Vålse Vig (Vålse Inlet) there were a number of naturally protected mooring sites with fresh water sources; an advantageous location for the Baltic Sea on one side and the Småland Channel, leading to the Great Belt, on the other. Trade at Vålse Vig was lucrative, as demonstrated by a large silver hoard found in 1835. This treasure was buried at the end of the 900’s some 15-20 metres from the shoreline. It was stuffed into a bronze dish that rested on a stone about 30cm below the topsoil. The hoard contained no less than 6.5kgs of silver in the form of silver bullion, coins, jewellery and broken silver. Silver was the Viking’s mode of currency and goods were paid for in silver, by weight. Thus the 700 coins in the treasure were valued at their silver weight and not the value that might be stated on them. The contents of this hoard is graphic testimony that Viking Age Denmark was no backwater place. The coins are Arabian, Bohemian, Byzantine, English and Norman. The different religions of the time are also represented: two pieces of silver jewellery in the treasure are Thor’s hammer amulets, whilst both Christianity and Islam are represented by symbols and inscriptions on the coins from Christian Europe and the Arab Caliphate. The treasure from Vålse is currently on display at the National Museum.