The Troppen Treasure

Right up here in the valley lies Troppen Farm. In 1917 the Troppen treasure was discovered by Peder Troppen’s sons Knut and Per. Whilst working on digging out a birch root, they discovered a canvas bag tied with a leather strip which contained coins. Of the coins that were found Peder Troppen sold around 50 coins for 10 to 15 kroner per coin. The coins only had a marking on one side and were therefore bracteates. Some of the bracteates were in very bad condition. But it was assumed with considerable certainty that the coins were made of silver, with a high copper content. Of the 454 coins that were found around 400 of them could be deciphered. It is assumed that they are all the same type of coin. The coins were embossed with amongst other things, birds, different types of crosses, patriarchal crosses and different letters. How do you think the bracteates ended up at Troppen Farm? Many local historians have pondered this question. It is thought that the coins have been in the ground since 1270. And there are two theories as to how they got there. Either that the bag with the coins was hidden in the ground, or that it was lost by a traveller on their journey over Normannsslepa.