Posted on 09/12/2010 3:35:25 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
It was only when the coin was later identified as Viking that the game heated up. By then poor Mellegren -- who, Beachcombing must say was someone with a reputation for integrity -- had passed away.
Beachcombing has no illusions about much of the nonsense written about pre-Columbian visits to North America. But in this case he would give a thumb and a half followed by two cheers and three quarters. There is a good chance that this really is what it seems: A European coin that found its way to North America in the twelfth century. Minted in Norway, spent in Iceland, gambled in Greenland, traded in Newfoundland, carried to Goddard where it fell through a hole in a brave's pocket.
(Excerpt) Read more at beachcombing.wordpress.com ...
The coin is a representation of the mighty thunder chicken of Viking lore.
Okay, no, I can’t substantiate that.
You mean this guy's daddy?
Note: this topic is from 9/12/2010 . A re-ping.
I’m wondering if that is Epona, the horse god. My Gloria Farley book is in storage right now. Decided to try Epona celtic goddess on coins:
Then decided to expand my search to Midieval europe coins:
Next I will try actually reading the whole article for a clue, should have done that first.
Couldn’t find any more likely coins to compare, but did run across this interesting site about Midieval history including Vikings.
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?p=1889624
One problem with most ancient and medieval coins, they were minted in very small runs, and without a match, the only shot at IDing it is, is there writing. This one is in rough shape. Anyway, keep me apprised.
(a few years later)
The Mystery of Maines Viking Penny
Atlas Obscura | DECEMBER 21, 2017 | BY SARAH LASKOW
Posted on 12/27/2017 4:51:40 PM PST by Eurotwit
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3617396/posts
A 19-year-old just rowed solo across the Atlantic; pretending that North America wasn't visited repeatedly, since at least Phoenician times, seems pretty blinkard to me.
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