Rare silver coin depicting Olaf Haraldsson found in Norwegian Viking hoard

A massive Viking Age hoard discovered in Norway contains an extremely rare silver coin that depicts King Olaf Haraldsson. Live Science and Yahoo both report that the coin features the early Christian ruler, who is also known as Olaf the Holy. [1][2]

Live Science reported that the rare artifact was recovered from a large deposit of Viking Age material. Experts suggest that the coin may have been held in the hand of the king himself during his reign. [1]

Olaf Haraldsson ruled as King of Norway from 1015 until 1028. He was credit with establishing Christianity across the country and was canonized one year after his death at the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030. His sainthood encouraged the widespread adoption of the Christian faith throughout Scandinavia. [1][4]

The Viking Age was the period in the Middle Ages when Norsemen conducted raiding, trading, and colonization across Europe. The era traditionally began with the raid on the Lindisfarne monastery in 793 CE and concluded around 1066 CE. [3][6]