Viking Penny Pendant with Sword & Hammer

This detailed pendant is a replica of a small coin (penny), probably from a Hiberno-Norse realm in Ireland after Viking invasion.

This coin present military motifs, seen on some other rare coinage exemplars: a sword on one side and a hammer in the other side.

On these pennies, the image of a sword typically symbolizes the authority and power of the ruling Viking king, often combined with Christian iconography to appeal to the local populace, such as the sword of St. Peter from the Viking St. Peter type pennies found in both York and Lincoln, or as a more general symbol of warfare, conquest, and the Viking warrior’s prowess. The presence of the sword demonstrates the fusion of Viking pagan and Christian elements, reflecting the complex cultural environment of the period.

Vikings wore coins primarily as a means of safely and conveniently carrying their wealth, especially since coins were valued by their weight in silver, not so much by their face value. Coins served not only as a form of trade or tribute payment, but also as a personal way to carry and protect their wealth, often melting or cutting the coins to obtain the desired weight for transactions.

This pendant is handmade of bronze, and it’s also available on silver plated bronze.

Measurements: 2 x 2.5 cm