In 1999, a film crew joined archaeologist Jonas Ström and numismatist Kenneth Jonsson on a trip to a modest farm on Gotland, Sweden's largest island. The initial discovery of a Viking coin by the farmer led to an even more remarkable find. In total, around 150 coins and artifacts were uncovered during the initial filming. After the film crew completed their work and left the scene, Ström and Jonsson decided to continue their unofficial search with a metal detector. In a remarkably short time—less than half an hour—they stumbled upon two substantial caches of Viking treasure.
Recognizing the significance of their discovery, Ström and Jonsson promptly requested official permission to excavate the site. News of the find quickly spread, and over 2,000 people visited the farm during the first weekend after the excavation became public knowledge. Subsequently, a third cache of treasures was uncovered, resulting in the retrieval of 67 kilograms (148 pounds) of silver and 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of bronze artifacts.
The hoard, believed to have been concealed beneath a ninth-century outbuilding, contained a diverse range of items, including coins, bullion, and various forms of jewelry such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Of the 14,295 coins discovered, a staggering 14,200 were Islamic dirhams with centuries of history. The remaining 95 coins included a mixture of Nordic, Byzantine, and Persian coins, with some modern forgeries among them.
One particularly intriguing find was the "Moses Coin," which was minted in the Khazar kingdom around 800. This coin closely imitated the design of a silver dirham, but its inscription referred to Moses instead of Mohammed. This discovery provided some archaeological evidence that aligned with the intriguing but unconfirmed claim that Khazar rulers may have converted to Judaism.
The treasure unearthed at this site is recognized as the largest Viking hoard ever found. These treasures are now on display at Sweden's Gotland Museum, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and cultural heritage of the Viking era.