Thomas Noonan-Ninth-Century Dirham Hoards From Northwestern Russia and The Southeastern Baltic

NINTH-CENTURY DIRHAM HOARDS FROM NORTHWESTERN RUSSIA AND THE
SOUTHEASTERN BALTIC
Author(s): Thomas S. Noonan
Source: Journal of Baltic Studies, Vol. 13, No. 3, SPECIAL ISSUE: RELATIONS BETWEEN
SCANDINAVIA AND THE SOUTEASTERN BALTIC/NORTHWESTERN RUSSIA IN THE VIKING
AGE (Fall 1982), pp. 220-244
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Ltd.
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NINTH-CENTURY DIRHAM HOARDS FROM NORTHWESTERN
RUSSIA AND THE SOUTHEASTERN BALTIC
Thomas S. Noonan, University of Minnesota
During the period c. 800-c. 1015, hundreds of thousands of Islamic silv

coins or dirhams were imported into eastern and northern Europe. Traditionall
the dirham hoards found in these areas have been examined within the frame-
work of modern political boundaries. Russian specialists, for example, have
focused upon the hoards from European Russia, Polish specialists concentrate
upon the hoards from Poland, and Swedish specialists are most interested in
the hoards from Sweden. The reasons for this national framework are clear to
all of us, and such a framework does have certain advantages. Nevertheless,
the prevailing national framework presents serious difficulties in evaluating
dirham hoards. Contemporary national boundaries often have little meaning
in terms of the political, ethnic, and economic conditions of the ninth and
tenth centuries. The Khazars and Volga Bulgārs, for instance, played a major
role in the export of dirhams into eastern and northern Europe although they
have no place on modern maps of eastern Europe. If we must have boundaries
to provide a framework for the study of dirham hoards, then these should make
sense in terms of the ninth and tenth centuries.
National frameworks also present difficulties in properly evaluating the dir-
ham hoards from any given region. At certain times, the dirhams circulating
throughout large parts of western Eurasia were fairly homogeneous. At other
times, however, different types of dirhams circulated in various regions. Further-
more, the degree of homogeneity or heterogeneity in dirham hoards at various
periods reflects important historical and economic forces. We can never under-
stand these forces, much less recognize their existence, if we have too rigid
a national framework. Only through a comparative analysis of dirham hoards
from many regions can we determine what, if anything, is unique in the hoards
of a given region and what is common to most hoards found throughout a larger
area. In short, a comparative approach is essential if we wish to identify the dis-
220 JBS, Vol XIII, No. 3 (1982)
Dirham Hoards from Russia and the Baltic 221
tinguishing characteristics of the dirham hoards from a

luminate the economic and historical forces which p
During the ninth and tenth centuries, the eastern Balt
considerable international activitiy. Bands of Vikings
Scandinavia launched a series of eastern campaigns while
coins were simultaneously brought north into the lan
toral. In fact, Viking activity in the east and the impor
eastern Baltic were unquestionably interrelated. The lan
eastern Baltic, while diverse in many ways, thus belong
during the Viking Age. They formed an area of Viking a
ports based on the sea routes across the Baltic Sea. Un
little work has been done on a comparative study of dir
eastern Baltic during the Viking Age. In the 1930s, Rich
several coin hoards from eastern Europe in which he inc
hoards found throughout the eastern Baltic along with
However, these works focus on the late tenth and elevent
evaluate the data in any detail. Sture Bolin apparently co
parative study of dirham hoards from eastern and nort
important work has not been published, and it is probab
the summaries contained in Peter Sawyer's well-known b
brief, we lack a detailed, comparative, and comprehensive
Age dirham hoards from the eastern Baltic which would
all those concerned with the Vikings and medieval Baltic
In connection with the Eighth Conference on Balti
Hoven and I agreed to begin a joint analysis of the Vikin
from the eastern Baltic. Mr. Hove'n agreed to assume
hoards deposited in Sweden and I assumed responsibility
northwestern Russia, the southeastern Baltic, and the co
and Germany. Mr. Hove'n and I further agreed that we w
endeavor to hoards deposited before 900. We hope to be
effort at some later time and examine dirham hoards from the eastern Baltic
deposited in the tenth and eleventh centuries.
The appendix lists 33 ninth-century dirham hoards deposited in what was
later called the Novgorod lands of medieval Russia, the area of modern Estonia,
Latvia, and Lithuania, and those parts of contemporary Poland and East Ger-
many which border upon the Baltic. Since the fourteen hoards from the coasts
of Poland and East Germany are not well known, at least to me, I have included
a detailed description of their contents in the appendix. I have also given the
names for both the medieval region and the modern area in which these hoards
were discovered. For the hoards deposited in Latvia, Estonia, and northwestern
Russia, I have merely cited two recent studies which describe these hoards in
great detail and give the appropriate numismatic literature. I have also included
a map of the eastern Baltic which shows the approximate location of the hoards
(see Figure). The appendix and map thus constitute the data base for this study.
222 Journal of Baltie Studies
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At first glance, it might appear that the 33 hoards for

data base. Regrettably, this is not the case since the
misleading. Two of the hoards (Nos. 16 and 33) are of
in numismatic literature although there are serious rea
characterization. Furthermore, only 3 dirhams survive
hoard (No. 16), so its scientific value is minimal. Th
(No. 33) is a little larger (13-15 dirhams) and thus ca
we cannot be certain that these two hoards were really h
Five of the hoards (Nos. 3, 17, 23, 28, 31) are still u
of these hoards is small (No. 23- Staraia Ladoga), three a
31), ranging from 57 to 73 coins, and the Ralswiek hoar
whole dirhams and about 1 ,800 dirham fragments). We
only part of the unpublished hoard from Toropets (No.
see, one of the deficiencies in our data base is the lack of
840s and 850s. Publication of the Ralswiek hoard dating
Ladoga hoard dating to 846/47 would help to remed
event, until these five hoards are fully published they on
Two of the hoards (Nos. 18, 30) were discovered in
nineteenth century and published by C. M. Fraehn. Unf
did so much to establish Islamic numismatics as a sch
to enumerate each coin, and he provided only aggregate
value today. Thus neither of these hoards can be fully us
(Nos. 6, 8, 21, 25, 27, 32) from which only a few coin
case (No. 21- Kaliningrad), the 9 coins out of a hoard of
been preserved have still not been published. In the c
Pskov uezd (No. 27) and Nabotovo (No. 32), only 2-3 d
and the usefulness of these hoards is thus negligible.
from the Grzybowo (No. 6), Kretomino (No. 8), and
were identified and thus we can utilize these 3 hoards p
should remember that there is no way of determining
few surviving coins from each of these hoards was of the
Finally, we have five small hoards, apparently preserv
which contain less than 20 coins (Nos. 2, 4, 9, 13, 15)
these, each coin represents a relatively large percentage in
ment. Differences of only a few coins can thus create m
quantitative profiles of a hoard. Consequently, while I ha
hoards in our statistical analysis, I have placed them in
that the reader can be aware that they represent a specia
In order to maximize our data base, I have placed fo
along with several other hoards for which we possess in
into a category called secondary hoards. The mini-ho
15) is, regrettably, so small (6 dirhams) that I have not in
Besides the four mini-hoards, our secondary group of ho
questionable hoards (No. 33- Zagorod'e), the two hoard
the early nineteenth century (Nos. 18,

published hoards (Nos. 17, 28- Sáraji,
from which only some dirhams surviv
Vylegi). Not all of these secondary hoar
measurements, but they provide a su
pared with that obtained from larger,
how much weight to attach to the ev
(36% of all hoards) in our secondary cat
Only 13 of our 33 hoards (39%) contai
lished coins (Nos. 1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12,
hoards shall be called primary to distin
primary hoards will be used to deter
century dirham hoards from the co
While these primary hoards constitute
without problems as a source of info
published dirhams only constitute pa
been lost to science. In the Zalewo hoar
half of the coins seem to have been p
dirham hoard found at Braniewo (No. 1
tion on some 97 coins out of a hoard of at least 400 or so dirhams found at
Kniashchino (No. 24). Furthermore, these surviving Kniashchino dirhams come
from about five batches which raises the problem of whether we are dealing with
a larger hoard that was dispersed and then partially recovered or whether there
were, in fact, several distinct hoards found at Kniashchino. We can only hope,
and assume, that the surviving coins from these three primary hoards are rep-
resentative of the entire hoards from which they derived.
We should also consider the large number of fragments in several of our
primary hoards. The hoard from Prerow-Darss (No. 1) consisted of 63% coin
fragments. The Pinnow hoard (No. 5) contained 91 whole dirhams, 160 partially
identifiable fragments, and "hundreds" of small pieces that could not be iden-
tified. In the Karnice hoard (No. 7), fragments composed 45% of the coins. The
Mokajmy-Sójki hoard was entirely composed of dirham fragments as was the
Zalewo hoard (No. 11). About 20%-25% of the Shumilovo hoard (No. 29)
consisted of dirham fragments. While discussing fragments, we might also add
that about 82% of the large, unpublished Ralswiek hoard (No. 3) were dirham
fragments while fragments formed 78% of the small 846/47 hoard from Staraia
Ladoga (No. 23). Since only some of the dirham fragments can ususally be ident-
ified, either completely or in part, the presence of a large number of fragments
in a hoard means that despite a substantial number of total coins, only part of
the hoard can be utilized for statistical purposes. The Karnice hoard (No. 7), for
example, consisted of 142 coins (78 whole dirhams and 65 dirham fragments).
For purposes of dynastic composition 140 or 99% could be identified. But, only
86 coins (61%) could be utilized in determining the chronological distribution,
and the mints were legible for only 76 coins (54%), which greatly affects our cal-
dilations on regional distribution. A related problem

hoard (No. 5) which contained hundreds of unidentifiab
dirhams. Because the exact number of such fragments
not be counted as part of the 'Abbāsid component fo
composition nor could their dates and mints be utilized i
logical and regional distribution. The result is that this
coins and more post-750 dirhams than our figures sh
large number of unidentifiable fragments, we cannot d
much more. The presence of a large number of fragment
hoards, especially those from northern Germany and Po
hoards or 71%), creates distortions in our statistical me
be ignored.
In summation, some of our 13 primary hoards are less than perfect sources
for our data base. It is all too rare that a sizeable hoard is found from which
all the dirhams were preserved, identified, and published. Despite these prob-
lems, the existence of 13 primary hoards does provide a data base of sufficient
size to begin our characterization of ninth-century dirham hoards from the
eastern and southern Baltic.
The most recent coin in any hoard probably provides the best numismatic
indication of when the hoard as a whole was deposited. Using this indicator,
I have attempted to show the time distribution of our primary and secondary
hoards in Table 1. As can be seen, the earliest hoard from our area was probably
Table 1
Time Distribution of Ninth-Century Primary and Secondary Dirham Hoards from North-
western Russia and the Southeastern Baltic
Primary Hoards Secondary Hoards Total

Number % Number % Number %
780s 18 14
790s
800s 2 15 18 3 12
810s 3 23 6 50 9 36
820s 18 18 2 8
830s 18 18 2 8
840s
850s
860s 4 31 2 17 6 24
870s 18 18 2 8
880s
890s
Total 13 101 12 99 25 100
deposited around the late

to the first two decades o
and 58% of our secondary
the early ninth century
only represented by one primary a

noted before, there are no hoards of ei
Then, in the 860s, the number of hoar
primary hoards and 17% of the seconda
decade. The upsurge of the 860s tapers
primary and one secondary hoard. Fina
from the 880s and 890s. In short, th
secondary hoards is most uneven. Fifty
67% of the secondary hoards are concen
On the other hand, five of our twelve
take two periods alone, the 800s-810s a
of the primary hoards and 83% of t
secondary hoards are not distributed ev
are concentrated in two periods with s
sentation in our statistical measurem
century for which we presently have n
relatively good data on some periods
others.
If we go beyond the erratic time dist
hoards and inquire into the patterns of
use a slightly different approach. In
have five unpublished hoards of 20 or
known (Nos. 3, 17, 23, 28, 31). The two
nineteenth century (Nos. 18, 30) also co
recent dirham was recorded. Therefore
61% of the total from our area, which
whose terminal dirham was identified. T
is given in Table 2.
Table 2
Time Distribution of Ninth-Century Primary-Like Dirham Hoards from Northwestern Russia
and the Southeastern Baltic
Primary-Like Hoards
Number %
780s 1 5
790s
800s 2 10
810s 3 15
820s 2 10
830s 1 5
840s 2 10
850s
860s 7 35
870s 2 10
880s
890s
Total 20 100
Table 2 gives us a more accurate idea of when dirham

deposited during the course of the ninth century. As we c
hoard appeared in the late eighth century and was follow
val, by a fairly steady but not intensive depositing of hoa
of the ninth century. One gains the impression that after
brought to this area in the late eighth century, a small b
hams took place until c. 850. Then, after another interv
ham imports suddenly increased dramatically in the
carried over into the 870s. Finally, the absence of any h
decades of the century might suggest that the import of
declined sharply or ceased entirely at this time.
We are not able in this study to explore the histori
time distribution discussed above. But it would seem that
imported into northwestern Russia sometime in the late
pearance of these coins apparently led, after a short delay
of some dirhams into a much larger region during the p
other words, our area had established steady but still te
commercial or military, with those parts of eastern Eur
hams from the Islamic world. In the second half of the
relations became erratic and conditions within our area m
Consequently, the small but steady influx of dirhams eit
as in the 860s, or declined dramatically, as in the 88
Vikings do not deserve credit or blame for everything, o
activities in the southern and eastern Baltic as well as in northwestern Russia
probably explain much of the pattern in our time distribution.
The geographical distribution of our primary and secondary hoards is given
in Table 3. The largest number of primary and secondary hoards comes from
the coastal regions of Germany and Poland, followed by northwestern Russia
and, finally, what we today refer to as the Baltic states. There is remarkable
agreement between the figures for both categories of hoards from all three
regions. As a result, we can say that half of our hoards derive from northern
Germany and Poland, one third from northwestern Russia, and one sixth from
Table 3
Geographical Distribution of Ninth-Century Dirham Hoards from Northwestern
Russia and the Southeastern Baltic
Primary Hoards Secondary Hoards
Number % Number %
Northwestern Russia 4 31 4 33
Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania 2 15 2 17
North Germany-Poland 7 54 6 50
Total 13 100 12 100
the Baltic states. This may not be the per

cal purposes, but it is the one that determ
Historically, the most interesting geogr
way in which the territory of the later B
early import of dirhams into the area. D
Russia. Then, after an interval, we see a
both northern Germany-Poland and no
hoard from northern Estonia was the only
tury to be deposited in the lands of the
no hoards known to us were deposited in
in all three regions during the 860s. In sh
Lithuania seem to have been little affecte
appear to have been bypassed up until th
fully share the geographical-time pattern
Germany-Poland. Again, I might only
great extent, in the pattern of Viking
But that is a question that requires furthe
If we take the 20 hoards used for Tab
is given in Table 4. In Table 4 equal weigh
northern Germany -Poland reversing the
on primary and secondary hoards. This c
three unpublished dirham hoards from n
More important, however, is the way in
the relatively modest and late role of Est
port of dirhams prior to 850. Our two ne
17, 18) date to the 860s-870s. The lands o
remained outside the main movement of d
the ninth century.
Table 4
Geographical Distribution of Ninth-Century Primary-Like Hoards from North-

western Russia and the Southeastern Baltic
Number %
Northwestern Russia 8 40
Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania 4 20
Northern Germany-Poland 8 40
Total 20 100
The dynastic comp

is shown in Table 5
dynastic characteri
hams. 'Abbāsid dirh
every period from
Table 5
Dynastic Distribution of Ninth-Century Dirham Hoards from Northwestern Russia and the
Southeastern Baltic (in percentages)
H
C/5
5
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H*
tu
O
Q¿ C/5
O g
z Q 2
z w z
z « w > £ S z <
5 ° a S « ft °
Z«QQ3qD a 2q O °
Find-spot, 2 ¿ = £ 2 .< £ i 5 .< 2 S h S
Date of Most Recent Coin, ^ = ^ 5 .< £ < 'S x .< 2 2
CU 2? PQ 5 O OQ i-rf" C £2 m
Number of Identified Coins w c 2 D
A. Northwestern Russia
Primary Hoards
Staraia Ladoga, 786/87 (31) 100
Kniashchino, 808/09 (90) 10 9 4 2 11 14 1 48
Novgorod, 864/65 (203) 7 81 12
Shumilovo, 870/71 (1227) 3 97 +a +
Secondary Hoards
Vylegi, 807/08 (7) 14 86
Demiansk, 824/25 (35) + + + + +
Zagorod'e, 831/32 (13) 92 8
Poterpel'tsy, 865/66 (60) 100
5. Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania
Primary Hoards
Kohtla, 837/38 (481) 3 + + 94 2
Lake Peipus, 861/62 (61) 3 2 87 5 3
Secondary Hoards
Sāraji, 863/64 (27) + 91
Livonia, 871/72 (38) + +
C. Germany-Poland
Primary Hoards
Prerow-Darss, 803 (72) 17 1 7 6 67 3
Zalewo, 811/12(20) 100
Braniewo, 816/17 (47) 100
Mokajmy-Sdjki, 8 1 7/1 8 (1 24) 2 98
Ramsowo, 828/29 (335) 1 + 99
Pinnow, 862/63 (254) 4 23 + + 72 1
Karnice, 867/68 (140) 1 9 1 88 1 1
Secondary Hoards
Kretomino, 809/1 3 (8) 13 88
Stegna, 811/12 (17) 6 94
Krasnofyka, 813/14 (10) 10 90
Rugard, 815/16 (11) 100
Grzybowo, 815/16 (8) 13 25 63
Neubrandenburg, 818/19 (7) 14 86
aSome coins present, but number uncertain or less than
hams is 48% in the Kniashchino hoard (No. 24). H

may not be the remnant of a single hoard but r
two separate hoards. In any event, 'Abbāsid dirha
tic component, by far, in the Kniashchino hoar
14% Umayyad dirhams. The second lowest figur
the Grzybowo hoard (No. 6) where they form "o
But only 8 coins survive from Grzybowo hoard,
pletely representative of the original hoard. Fiv
bāsid dirhams, and four of these, contrary to w
mary or primary -like (Nos. 11, 12, 22, 28). Only
composed of all 'Abbāsid dirhams (No. 2). The m
possess precise figures (14 or 61%) contain 80%-9
All the hoards from the area under investigati
common predominance of 'Abbāsid dirhams. T
ally demonstrated in two ways. The first is t
component for all primary hoards in each regio
following results: Northwestern Russia- 82%,
North Germany-Poland- 89%. In other words
region was formed from 80%-90% 'Abbāsid dirh
calculate the average 'Abbāsid component for all
This calculation indicates the following distribu
780s 100% (1) 840s
790s 850s
800s 58% (2) 860s 82% (4)

810s 99% (3) 870s 97% (1)
820s 99% (1) 880s
830s 94% (1) 890s
The predominance of 'Abbāsid dirhams w
from Staraia Ladoga (No. 22) which wa
This predominance continues through
drops below 80% once (800s). In fact, t
was probably higher in reality. For exam
gorod hoard (No. 26), tended to attribut
now consider as 'Abbāsid. As noted earlier, the 'Abbas

now hoard (No. 5) is understated since we do not k
fragments are meant by the term "hundreds" in the a
the 'Abbasid component in the ninth century dirham
even larger than our figures show.
Given the overwhelming 'Abbāsid predominance in al
for every period, there is no need for a more detailed a
Nor, it seems to me, do we need a detailed analysis of
We might merely note that almost all were part of th
Near East during the ninth century and were thus expo
ern Europe along with the 'Abbāsid dirhams. The only
omenon was the two West European coins found in
Darss (No. 1) in what is now East Germany. The pr
coins in early dirham hoards is quite rare. The only ex
ninth-century Russian hoards is the Hedeby half-bract
Kislaia hoard deposited around 833 in the Smolensk ar
hoards from northwestern Russia, the contemporary B
Germany-Poland all had a common dynastic character
predominance of 'Abbāsid dirhams.
The chronological composition of our primary and se
in Table 6. At first glance, there does not appear to be
logical characteristic. However, closer scrutiny indicate
aging in those hoards deposited after 819. In other w
this approximate date tend to contain an increasing n
a smaller number of newly struck dirhams. In the 86
for example, only 5% of the dirhams were struck aft
to examine the chronological composition of our ho
this aging factor in more detail.
Let us begin by looking at those primary hoards who
to 819 or earlier. In these hoards, a substantial per
usually struck within the 40 years or so preceding th
dirham. The figures are as follows:
Staraia Ladoga 100%
Kniashchino 63%+
Prerow-Darss 51%+
Braniewo 59%+
Mokajmy-Sojki 43%+
The figures for the Braniewo and Mokajmy-Sójki hoards are gr
shown because our data base did not separate the 770s from the
ing this fact, I think it is safe to say that hoards from our area
819 normally consisted of at least one half coins struck within
the most recent dirham. The figures for hoards of the 800s and 8
western Russia and northern Germany-Poland seems to be 50-6
ary hoards deposited before 820 present the same picture as the
232 Journal of Baltic Studies
Vylegi 100% Krasnolaka 70%+ Neubrandenburg 57%+

Stegna 94% Rugard 45%+
Zalewo 71%+ Grzybowo 51%+
At least half the coins in these hoards were struck no more than 40 y
before the most recent dirham.
Table 6
Chronological Distribution of Ninth-Century Dirham Hoards from Northwestern Russia
and the Southeastern Baltic (in percentages)
C/J
Find-spot, SŠ t£ S
Date of Most Recent Coin, ' ¿ o o o o o o o o o o o o o
' Z »o on O •- i roTf m f" oo On
Number of Identified Coins ^ ^ r- r- oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oc oo
Primary Hoards
Staraia Ladoga, 786/87 (31) 21 79
Kniashchino, 808/09 (97) 30 6 47 8 8
Novgorod, 864/65 (203) 78 16 11 25 824668
Shumilovo, 870/71 (1,111) 3 5 15 7 24 9 2 2 4 10 20 1
Secondary Hoards
Vylegi, 807/08 (6) 50 33 17
Zagorod'e, 831/32 (13) 15 23 8 39 8 8
B. Estonia- Latvia-Lithuania
Primary Hoards
Kohtla, 837/38 (463) 3 13 29 12 25 13 3 1
Lake Peipus, 861/62 (44) 5 7 20 16 18 23 5 5 2
Secondary Hoards
Sāraji, 863/64 (27) 15 [
C. Germany
Primary Ho
Prerow-Darss, 803 (40) 43 8 25 13 13
Braniewo, 816/17 (46) 11 30 20 9 30
Mokajmy-Sójki, 817/18 (60) 5 5 47 8 23 12
Ramsowo, 828/29 (328) 1 16 35 17 18 10 3
Pinnow, 862/63 (149) 45 5 17 4 19 5 3 1 1
Karnice, 867/68 (86) 15 7 34 13 14 13 5
Secondary Hoards
Stegna, 811/12 (17) 6 12 47 35
Zalewo, 811/12 (14) 14 14 14 50 7
Krasnofaka, 813/14 (10) 10 20 10 50 10
Rugard, 815/16 (11) 9 45 18 9 18
Grzybowo, 815/16 (8) 38 13 13 25 13
Neubrandenburg, 818/19 (7) 14 14 14 43 14
Now, let us turn to those hoards deposited after 819

mary hoards are the following:
Ramsowo, 828/29 48%+ Novgorod, 864/65 26%-
Kohtla, 837/38 42%+ Karnice, 867/68 5%
Lake Peipus, 861/62 12%- Shumilovo, 870/71 37%-
Pinnow, 862-63 5 %-
As we can see, the primary dirham hoards deposited in our area after 819 con-
tain less than half coins struck within the previous forty years or so. Further-
more, the more we move away from 820, the greater is the tendency for hoards
to be composed of larger numbers of dirhams issued over forty years before thei
depositing. There is a very definite aging pattern that appears in our primary
hoards.
Unfortunately, our secondary hoards deposited after 819 or so do not allow
us to test the aging pattern satisfactorily. In the 831/32 Zagorod'e hoard (No.
33), 55% of the dirhams were struck in the ninth century, but only 16% dated
from after 809. We only possess aggregate data on the 863/64 Sāraji hoard (No.
17) from Latvia. It indicates that 26% of the coins were issued in the 850s-860s
Forty-one percent dated to the period 800-849, but no breakdown by decad
was given. Thus, the secondary hoards might suggest some aging pattern but the
evidence is too sparse to reach any firm conclusion.
We must also note that the aging pattern of our primary hoards is not uni-
form over our entire area. It seems to be most pronounced in the hoards of th
860s from northern Germany-Poland and is also quite noticeable in the Lak
Peipus hoard from Estonia. The two hoards from northwestern Russia, Nov
gorod and Shumilovo, show some signs of aging, but they are less pronounced.
These two hoards contain a comparatively large number of dirhams issued in the
840s-860s, 20% and 34%, respectively. Dirhams from this same period are rathe
few in the northern German-Polish hoards: Pinnow = 2% and Karnice = 5%. One
can conclude from all this data that fewer new dirhams reached our area after
819. Furthermore, when new dirhams did reach this area, as in the 860s and
870s, they went primarily to northwestern Russia. Relatively few new dirhams
struck after 819 were imported into northern Germany -Poland.
Several hypotheses can be advanced to explain these differences in the aging
pattern. It may be, for example, that the dirhams reaching northern Germany-
Poland after 819 did not come from northwestern Russia. In particular, one
might argue that if northern Germany-Poland had obtained its dirhams from
northwestern Russia in the period 850-870, then the hoards deposited in the for-
mer region would have had a higher percentage of new dirhams. In other words,
if some kind of relations between these two regions had existed, the influx of
new dirhams struck in the 850s and 860s which shows up in northwestern Rus-
sia could be expected to have shown up in northern Germany-Poland. Thus, it
can be maintained that the dirhams which were brought into northern Germany-
Poland at this time came from some other region. The accuracy of this hypothesis
as well as the possible identity of the other potential exporting region awaits
further research.
An alternate explanation is that the r

the Near East were disturbed for som
850s-860s when a significant number
These disturbances reduced the influ
significantly. As a consequence, the p
like northwestern Russia might have
dirhams reaching them from the Islami
a commodity that was becoming scarce
northwestern Russia with the lands of
Poland might have continued except fo
re-exported to them. Thus, the coin
deprived of newer dirhams, came to
there earlier. Additional research wil
chronological composition of our hoard
tions about events in the Baltic during
matic study may suggest some of the a
have to rely veiy heavily on the written
The regional distribution of our prim
Table 7. Table 7 shows that dirhams stru
ponent from most hoards in all three r
primary hoards by region, we find the
Russia- 50% (4), Estonia-Latvia-Lithuani
55% (6).
If we look at the Iraq component in these hoards over time, we find the follow-
ing:
780s 63% (1) 840s
790s 850s
800s 28% (2) 860s 59% (4)
810s 58% (2) 870s 50% (1)
820s 66% (1) 880s
830s 56% (1) 890s
These figures show that the aver
each region was remarkably simila
sequences show that the only exc
came in the first decade of the n
Prerow-Darss hoard (No. 1) and a
24).This drop began to reverse its
17 (No. 12) was 40% Iraq (but ove
817/18 hoard from Mokajmy-Sdj
of this one period, all primary hoa
least one-half Iraq dirhams. The re
of the mint at Madlnat al-Salām or
Table 7
Regional Distribution of Ninth-Century Dirham Hoards from Northwestern Russia and the
Southeastern Baltic (in percentages)
<
<55 <
y < z z
ft 3 I< Z S Z
<5 < '< X 2
Find-spot, Ä,hä X '< < S E < .< z-
Date of Most Recent Coin, S '< < m
Number of Identified Coins £ z -> ř í- * 5 i- 2 * « 2« tÕ<
Primary Hoards
Staraia Ladoga, 786/87 (30) 63 27 3 3 3
Kniashchino, 808/09 (73) 23 27 18 1 19 4 3 1 3
Novgorod, 864/65 (203) 65 2 14 2 10 5 1 2
Shumilovo, 870/71 (980) 50 1 25 2 8 13 +a + + 1
Secondary Hoards
Vylegi, 807/08 (7) 57 29 14
Demiansk, 824/25 (35) + + + + + + +
Zagorod'e, 831/32(13) 46 31 8 8 8
B. Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania
Primary Hoards
Kohtla, 837/38 (473) 56 3 22 2 5 91++ + 3
Lake Peipus, 861/62 (43) 56 9 14 5 12 2 2
Secondary Hoards
Livonia, 871/72 (38) + + + + + +
C. Germany -Poland
Primary Hoards
Prerow-Darss, 803 (28) 32 18 14 4 18 4 4 7
Braniewo, 816/17 (47) 40 45 2 13
Mokajmy-Sójki, 817/18(59)76 14 3 5 2
Ramsowo, 828/29 (326) 66 3 18 2 2 8 1 +
Pinnow, 862/63 (179) 58 3 18 4 8 7 1 1 1 1
Kamice, 867/68 (76) 57 11 11 4 1 1 5 1 4 5
Secondary Hoards
Stegna, 811/12 (17) 47 6 18 12 12 6
Zalewo, 811/12 (16) 63 6 25 6
Krasnofcjka, 813/14 (10) 50 10 20 10 10
Rugard, 815/16 (11) 55 27 9 9
Grzybowo, 815/16 (7) 71 14 14
Neubrandenburg, 818/19 (7)43 29 14 14
a Some coins present, but number uncertain or less than 0.5%.
Second place behind Iraq belongs to Ji

of dirhams issued at al-Muhammadiy
hoards are as follows: Northwestern Ru
Northern Germany-Poland- 20%. The
tribution:
780s 3% (1) 840s
790s 850s
800s 16% (2) 860s 12% (4)
810s 30% (2) 870s 25% (1)
820s 18% (1) 880s
830s 22% (1) 890s
These figures show a very consisten
between 15% and 20%. The time
norm. The Jibāl component was ve
large in the Braniewo hoard (45%).
and 25%. In short, Jibāl dirhams w
constituted 10-25% of the total.
North African dirhams are pres
reaching a high of 27% in both the
22, 24) of the late eighth-early nin
also constitute 18% of the early ni
in northern Germany-Poland. After
lative numbers decline due to the f
mints become very rare in the Near
in Khurāsān and Transoxiana were p
In general, their relative weight inc
dirhams declines.
The secondary hoards follow the same general regional trends as the primary
hoards. Iraq dirhams are usually 50% or more of the hoard, Jibāl dirhams norm-
ally constitute a significant but lesser component, North African dirhams are a
major component in many earlier hoards, and the dirhams of Transoxiana and
Khurāsān occupy a definite if more modest role. In concluding this section, we
should emphasize that the regional composition of the hoards from all three
regions is highly homogeneous. The regional differences noted in the chronolo-
gical composition do not appear here.
As a final measurement, let us consider the volume of dirhams exported into
our three regions during the ninth century. While we cannot determine such a
sum precisely, the number of coins in our 20 primary-like hoards serves as a
fairly good, if imperfect, indicator. A detailed analysis of the size of these hoards
may also reflect the number of dirhams available for hoarding at a given time
and region. Since the data on several hoards is ambiguous, I have been forced to
make a rough approximation. While the evidence leaves much to be desired and
definitely understates the number of coins, it does provide some foundation for
a realistic estimate.
The raw data is given below :
Northwestern Russia
Staraia Ladoga, 786/87 31
Kniashchino, 808/09 400 (? )
Demiansk, 824/25 35
Staraia Ladoga, 846/47 23
Novgorod, 864/65 203
Poterpel'tsy, 865/66 60
Toropets, 867/68 150 (?)
Shumilo vo , 870/7 1 1,326
Total 2,228+
Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania
Kohtla, 837/38 600 (? )
Lake Peipus, 861/62 60
Sāraji, 863/64 57
Livonia, 871/72 38
Total 755+
Northern German
Prerow-Darss, 803 72
Zalewo, 811/12 40
Braniewo, 816/17 200 (? )
Mokajmy-Sójki, 817/18 124
Ramsowo, 828/29 336
Ralswiek, 842 2,200
Pinnow, 862/63 400 (? )
Karnice, 867/68 143
Total 3,515+
The rough total fr

northwestern Russia
from northern Ger
these percentages, it
Ralswiek hoard in 19
would have been mu
coins is not as large
one clay and one cop
in central Russia. T
copper pot held up t
dated to 939. One c
more dirhams than
gether.
Having paid our respects to caution and modesty, let us see what our figures
suggest, if anything. The average size of our 20 hoards was 320 dirhams. How-
ever, as might be expected, 12 hoards (60%) were definitely smaller and 3 other
hoards (15%) may have been smaller. Only 5 hoards (25%) were definitely larger
23 8 Journal of Baltic Studies
than 320 dirhams. Nine hoards (45%) we

itely less than 150 coins. Each region has
large hoard of over 500 dirhams.
The average for these hoards by decade
780s 31 (1) 840s 1,112(2)
790s 850s
800s 186(2)? 860s 153(7)?
810s 121(3)? 870s 682(2)
820s 186(2) 880s
830s 600(1)? 890s
There is no uniformity at any time. Th
posed of 23 dirhams and 2,200 dirham
38 dirhams and 1,326 dirhams. Neither i
region. The Shumilovo hoard is twenty-t
hoard although they were deposited in
years apart. Nevertheless, we should obser
in the 780s (31 coins) and slowly work up
840s. There is a decline in average size
sharp increase in the 870s. The three hoa
820. But there is only a faint trend towa
the nine hoards of under 100 coins (44
tempting to suggest that larger hoards o
were deposited; i.e., at certain periods
periods and larger batches were thus pro
could be cited as support, being the only h
during a fairly long era. But the large Sh
very same year as the modest Livonia pr
distant from each other either. In brief,
shared by all three regions is the absence
or the volume of imports. Dirhams were
three regions, at least until the early 870
Rather than attempt to repeat our main
simply like to emphasize that this init
ninth-century dirham hoards from the e
major results. First of all, I believe that
among the hoards from all three regions
single area. The ninth-century eastern B
matic unit. Second, our examination of
matic and historical questions whose
illuminate developments in this area dur
poorly documented in written sources are
NOTES
1 Richard Vasmer, Ein im Dorfe Starý i Dědin in Weissrussland Gemachter Fund Kufischer
Münzen [Kungl. Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademiens Handlingar, Del 40:2]
(Stockholm, 1929), 32-43; Richard Vasmer, "Ein neuer Münzfund des elften Jahr-
hunderts in estnischem Privatbesitz," Sitzungsberichte der Gelehrten Estnischen Ge-
sellschaft /Öpetatud Eesti Seltsi Aastaraamat (1934), 206 ff.
2 Sture Bolin, "Studier över Mynt och Myntfynd i Östra och Norra Europa under Viking-
atiden."
3 Peter H. Sawyer, The Age of the Vikings (London, 1962), 100-13, 207-18.
APPENDIX: LIST OF NINTH-CENTURY DIRHAM HOARDS FROM THE

SOUTHEASTERN BALTIC AND NORTHWESTERN RUSSIA
ABBREVIATIONS
Kiersnowscy, Pomorza - Teresa i Ryszard Kiersnowscy, Wczesnosredniowieczne Skarb

Srebrne z Pomorza: Materiaiy [Polskie Badania Archeologiczne, Tom 4; Polskie Skarb
Wczesnorsredniowieczne, Inwentarze, Tom II] (Warsaw-Wroclaw, 1959).
Markov, Topografìa = A. K. Markov, comp., Topografìa kladov vostochnykh monet (Sa
nidskikh i kufìcheskikh) (St. Petersburg, 1910).
Kiersnowski, Warmii i Mazur = Marian Haisig, Ryszard Kiersnowski, Janusz Reyman, Wcze
nosredniowieczne Skarby Srebrne z Maìopolski, Šlaska, Warmii i Mazur: Materiaiy { Po
skie Badania Archeologiczne, Tom 12; Polskie Skarby Wczesnos'redniowieczne, Inwen-
tarze, Tom IV] (Wrocfaw-Warsaw-Cracow, 1966).
Kiersnowski, Poìabia = Ryszard Kiersnowski, Wczesnosredniowieczne Skarby Srebrne z
Poìabia: Materiaìy [Polskie Badania Archeologiczne, Tom 11] Wrociaw-Warsaw-Cracow,
1964).
Noonan, "Pre-970 Dirham Hoards = Thomas S. Noonan, Pre-970 Dirham Hoards from
Estonia and Latvia, I: Catalog," Journal of Baltic Studies, 8(1977), 238-59.
Noonan, "Ninth-Century" = Thomas S. Noonan, "Ninth-Century Dirham Hoards from
European Russia: A Preliminary Analysis," in M. A. S. Blackburn and D. M. Metcalf,
eds., Viking-Age Coinage in the Northern Lands: The Sixth Oxford Symposium on
Coinage and Monetary History (British Archaeological Reports, International Series
122] (Oxford, 1981), 47-117.
1. Pofabia/Pomerania. Prerow-Darss, now in Ribnitz-Damgarten Kreis, East Germany,

1873. A treasure-coin hoard was found which contained 27 whole coins (25 oriental
and 2 West European) and 45 coin fragments (all oriental). The most recent coin dated
to 803.
I. Sasanian (12 = 4 whole and 8 fragments)
Khursaw II, 614, 617, 627, 628; Ruler and year unknown, 8 fragments.
II. U may y ad (4 = 1 whole and 3 fragments)
Kirmān, 709/10; Wasit, date unknown (fragment); Mint unknown, 717-720
(fragment), 748/49 (fragment).
III. 'Abbãsid Governors of Tabaristān (5 = 1 whole and 4 fragments)
Khālid b. Barmak, 766-770 (fragment); 'Umar b. al-'Āla, 773, 758-783 (fragment);
Ruler and year unknown (2 fragments- one or both could be Ispahbad).
IV. 'Abbāsid (48 = 24 whole and 24 fragments)
al-'Abbâsiyyah, 769/70, 774/75, 779/80, 772/73 (?); Armmiyah, 802; Madlnat
al-Salām, 773/74, 775/76, 777/78, 778/79, 795/96, 801/02 (?), year unknown
(2 fragments); al-Mubārakah, 791/92; al-Muhammadiyyah, 766/67, 797/98,
799/800, year unknown (fragment); Zaranj, 797/98, 803; Mint unknown, 767/
68-775 (fragment), 767/68 (fragment), 775-785 (fragment), 786-797 (fragment),
793, 802 (fragment); Mint and date unknown, 6 whole coins and 16 fragments.
V. Umayyad Governors (1 whole)

'Abdallāh b. al-Zubair, Dārābjird, 674.
VI. Western European (2 whole)
Charlemagne, Dorestad, 768-814; Ruler, mint, and date unknown.
References: Kiersnowski, Potabia, p. 54, No. 143; Markov, Topografiia, pp. 125-26, No.
35-36. The accounts vary somewhat; for the sake of consistency, I have followed the date in
Potabia. Markov described this hoard twice as if it were two distinct hoards found in dif-
ferent places. The totals for whole coins and fragments given in Potabia do not tally with the
sums for the separate dynasties.
2. Potabia f Pomerania. Rugard, now in Rügen Kreis, East Germany, in or before 1860.
Twelve dirhams were found. The most recent coin dated to 815/16. 'Abbasid (11):
Madlnat al-Sallm, 771/72, 773/74, 774/75, 785/86, 796/97; al-Basrah, 762/63; Isba-
hān, 815/16; al-Muhammadiyyah, 783/84, 800/01 ; Samarqand, 812/13; Zaranj, 789/
90.
References: Kiersnowski, Potabia , p. 58, No. 155; Markov, Topografiia, p. 125, No. 31.
Potabia states that there were twelve dirhams but only enumerates eleven.
3. Potabia/East Germany. Ralswiek, Rugen Kreis, East Germany, 1973/74. A hoard of
400 whole dirhams and around 1,800 dirham fragments was found. The most recent
coin apparently dated to 842. Most of the coins appear to have been 'Abbasid.
References: Coin Hoards, 1 (1975), p. 73, No. 273; Münstersche Numismatische Zeitung
(1974), No. 57, p. 13.
4. Potabia ¡Mecklenburg. Near Neubrandenburg, now in Neubrandenburg Kreis, East
Germany, before 1873. Seven dirhams and treasure were found. The most recent
coin dated to 818/19.
I. Umayyad { 1)
Wäsit, 713/14.
II. 'Abbãsid (6)
Madīnat al-Salām, 804/05; Balkh, 803/04; al-Basrah, 760/61 ; al-Muhammadiyyah,
770, 800/01; Samarqand, 818/19.
References: Kiersnowski, Potabia, pp. 48-49, No. 119; Markov, Topografiia, p. 133, No.
15.
5. Pomorze /Pomerania. Pinnow, now in Anklam Kreis, East Germany, 1890. Workers
found a hoard of several hundred dirhams, the majority of which had been cut into
small pieces. The hoard is said to have consisted of 91 whole dirhams, 160 more or
less identifiable fragments, and many hundreds of smaller pieces. The most recent
coin dated to 862/63.
I. Sasanian (9)
9 fragments.
II. Umayyad (58)
Adharbãyjân, date unknown (fragment); Armlniyah, date unknown (fragment);
Dārābjird, date unknown (fragment); Hamadhān, 699/700; Naysâbur, date un-
known (fragment); Tanbuq (?), 750/51; Wäsit, 713/14, 723/24, 726/27, 738/39,
742/43, 743/44 (2), 746/47, 747/48, date unknown (7); Mint unknown, 712/13
(fragment); Mint and date unknown, 35 fragments.
III. 'Abbasid (182 + hundreds of fragments)
al-'Abbâsiyyah, 782/83 (2), date unknown (fragment- xx5 H.); Abarshahr, 807/08
(2 fragments); Armlniyah, 765/66, 777/78, 862/63, date unknown (xx2 H.);
Madīnat al-Salām, 766/67, 767/68, 771/72, 772/73, 773/74, 776/77, 777/78,
778/79, 780/81, 788/89, 796/97, 797/98, 802 (2), 802/03 (4), 803/04 (2),
804/05 (3), 805/06, 807/08, 810/11, 819/20, date unknown (47 fragments);
Balkh, 801/02 (2), 802/03, 809/10, date unknown (4 fragments); al-Basrah,
751/52, 758/59, 776/77, 778/79, date unknown (2 fragments); Bukhārā, 808/09
(2), 809/10 (?-fragment); al-Härüniyyah, 785/86; Ifríqiyah, 792/93, date un-
known (fragment); Isbahãn, 811/12, date unknown (fragment); al-Yamamah,
783/84; Kirmãn, 781-82; al-Kūfah, 749/50, 754/55, 764/65, dates unknown (3
fragments); Marw, date unknown (fragment); al-Muhammadiyyah, 770/71, 783/
84, 796/97,801/02,802,802/03,803/04, 806/07, dates unknown (21 fragments);
Naysâbur {?), date unknown (fragment- xx7 H.); Samarqand, 809/10, 810/11 (3),
dates unknown (2 fragments); al-Shāsh, 805/06 (3); Surr

Zaranj, 797/98 (2); Mint unknown, 774-786 (6 fragments), 7 5 3-
824/25, 833-842 (4 fragments); Mint and date unknown, hund
IV. Idrīsid (1)
Waïïlah, 788/89.
V. Aghlabid(ì)
Ifrîqiyah, 801/02.
VI. Tāhirid (3)
Abarshahr, date unknown (fragment); al-Muhammadiyyah, 821/22 (fragment);
Samarqand, 823/24.
References: Kiersnowscy, Pomorza, pp. 81-82, No. 123; Markov, Topografia, p. 129, No.
47. These accounts vary somewhat; for the sake of consistency, I have followed the data in
Pomorza.
6. Pomorze/Pomerania. Grzybowo, now in Kptobrzeg powiat, Poland, 1877. Ori

coins were found of which 8 were identified. The most recent dated to 815/16.
I. Sasanian (1)
Khusraw II.
II. Umayyad (2)
al- Basrah, 699/70; Wasit, 710/11.
III. 'Abbāsid (5)
Madlnat al-Salām, 775/76, 796/97 , 805/06; Balkh, 803/04; Samarqand, 815/16.
References: Kiersnowscy, Pomorza, p. 51, No. 55; Markov, Topografiia, p. 127, No. 39 &
p. 131, No. 68.
7. Pomorze/Pomerania. Karnice/Camitz, now in fcobez powiat, Poland, 1878. A vessel
containing 78 dirhams and 65 dirham fragments was found. The most recent coin
dated to 867/68.
I. Umayyad { 13)
Dārābjird, date unknown; Dimashq, date unknown; Wäsit, 703/04, 710/11,708/
09 or 717/18 (fragment- x9x H.), 722/2 3 (fragment), date unkown (fragment);
Mint and date unknown, 6 fragments.
II. 'Abbāsid { 123)
al-*Abbāsiyyah, 776/77 (5), 789/90; Arminîyah, 754-775 ; Arrān, 799/800, 802/03;
Madînat al-Salām, 771/72, 772/73 (4), 777/78, 780/81, 785/86, 786/87, 788/89.
796/97 (6), 797/98, 798/99, 802/03, 804/05, 806/07 (2), 807/08 (3), 810/11,
813/14, 847-861, date unknown (2x4 H.- 2 fragments); al-Basrah, 751/52, 752/
53, 762/63, 763/64, (2), 764/65; Bada'ah, 792/93 (fragment); Bukhārā, 809/10;
Dimashq, 847-861 (2); Herāt, 810/11; Isbahān, 817/18; al-Kūfah, 860/61, 854-
861 (2x4 H.); al-Mubārakah, 790/91; al-Muhammadiyyah, 776/77, 778/79,
782/83, 800/01 (2), 809-813, 813-833; Samarqand, 814/15, 813-833; Zaranj,
800/01, 810/11, 813, 816/17; Mint unknown, 774/75, 754-775 (3 fragments),
775-785 (1 whole and 9 fragments), 786-809 (2 fragments), struck under al-
Quasim (?) (fragment-seems 19x H.), 813-815, 813-833 (5 fragments), 862-866
(2); Mint and date unknown, 31 fragments.
III. Idrfsid ( 1 )
Ruler, mint, and date unknown (fragment).
IV. Tāhirid (I)
Samarqand, 867/68.
V. Ispahbad (1)
Tabaristān, (fragment).
VI. Imitation (')
Imitation of a dirham of al-Mahdl, 775-785.
References: Kiersnowscy, Pomorza, pp. 55-56, No. 67; Markov, Topografia, p. 127, No. 41.
These two accounts vary somewhat; for the sake of consistency, I have followed the data in
Pomorza.
8. Pomorze. Kretomino, now Koszalin powiat, Poland, 1933. A hoard of 18 dirhams was
found of which 8 were studied. The most recent coin dated to 809-813.
I. Umayyad ( 1)
Sābūr, 7 1 3/14.
II. 'Abbāsid (7)

Madínat al-Salām, 774/75, 776/77, 796-805, 809-813; Madfnat (Balkh or Buk-
hara), 1x3 H. (probably 808/09); Mint unknown, lxx H. (?); Mint and date
unknown, 1.
References: Anna Kmietowicz and Franciszek Kmietowicz, "Dirhems de trésors polonais de
haut Moyen Age inédits," Folia Orientalia, 9 (1967), 310-14; Kiersnowscy, Pomorza, p.
60, No. 82.
9. PomorzeļEast Prussia. Stegna, now in Gdaiisk powait, Poland, 1722. A fisherman
found 17 dirhams in three places at one site. The most recent coin dated to 811/12.
I. Umayyad ( 1)
Wãsit, 744/45.
II. 'Abbāsid (16)
Madināt al-Salām, 803/04, 807/08, 809 (2), 809/10 (3); Balkh, 803/04, 804/05;
Ifrîqiyah, 796/97; Isbahān, 811/12; al-Muhammadiyyah, 807/08, 811; Samar-
qand, 809/10, 801/02; "Saura" or Zaranj, 796/97.
References: Kiersnowscy, Pomorza, pp. 97-98, No. 159; Markov, Topografiia, pp. 111-12,
No. 2. These two accounts vary; for the sake of consistency, I have followed the date in
Pomorza.
10. PomorzeļEast Prussia. Mokajmy-Sòjki/Prôckehvitz, now in Paslçk powiat, Po
1866. A pot containing about 124 dirham fragments was found. None of the fra
ments fit together to form a whole dirham. The most recent coin dated to 817/18.
I. Umayyad { 3)
Wãsit, 730 or 740 (2); Mint unknown, 747/48.
II. 'Abbāsid (121)
Madînat al-Salãm, 770, 754-775 (4), 778/79, 779/80, 780/81 (2), 775-785 (9),
792, 796, 798, 801, 803, 804 (2), 786-809 (2), 809/10, 810/11, 809-813, date
unknown (7); Balkh, 803; al-Basrah, 755, date unknown (2); Isbahān, 814/15;
Kirmān, 775-785; al-Ķūfah, date unknown (3); al-Muhammadiyyah, 765, 768,
787/88, 796, 798, 804, 805; Naysàbur, 809; Samarqand, 809, 811/12, 817/18;
Mint unknown, 777/78, 778/79, 779/80, 780/81, 775-785 (8), 800 (2), 804,
805, 809, 786-809 (6), 811/12, 809-813 (3), 813/14, 813-833; Mint and date
unknown, 35.
References: Kiersnowscy, Pomorza, p. 70, No. 103; Markov, Topografiia , pp. 110-11, No.
5. These two accounts vary somewhat; for the sake of consistency, I have followed the
data in Pomorza.
11. Warmia-Masuria/East Prussia. Zalewo, now in Mor^g powiat, Poland, 1868. An earth
pot containing up to 40 dirham fragments was found; 20 fragments from the hoard
were studied. The most recent coin dated to 811/12.
I. 'Abbāsid (20)
al-'Abbasiyyah, 771-793 (?); Madînat al-Salām, 770-775, 772/73, 786-809, 796/
97, 802/03, 805/06, 807/08, 808/09, date unknown; Balkh, 804/05; al-Basrah,
752/53 or 762/63 (xx5 H.); Isbahān, 811/12; al-Muhammadiyyah, 766/67 (?),
791/92, 805/06; Mint unknown, 805/06 (?), 808/09-813/14; Mint and date
unknown, 2.
References: Kiersnowski, Warmii i Mazur, p. 78, No. 19; Markov, Topografiia, p. Ill, No.
6. These two accounts vary somewhat; for the sake of consistency, I have followed the
data in Warmii i Mazur.
12. Warmia-Masuria/West Prussia. Braniewo, now in Braniewo powiat, Poland, around
1872. A large hoard of dirhams was found from which 47 coins were identified.
The most recent coin dated to 816/17.
I. 'Abbāsid (47)
Madînat al-Salām, 764/65,768/69,769/70,770, 774/75, 780/81, 781/82, 783/84,
784/85, 791/92, 795/96, 796/97, 797/98, 802/03, 809/10, 810/11, 811/12;
Balkh, 786-809; I§bahān, 811/12, 813/14, 814/15; al-Kūfah, 755/56, 761/62;
Ma'din al-Shāsh, 805/06; al-Muhammadiyyah, 766/67, 769/70, 773/74 (2),
776/77, 781/82, 782/83, 783/84, 792/93, 793/94, 794/95, 796/97 (2), 800/01,
801/02, 814/15, 815/16 (2); Samarqand, 812/13, 813/14, 814/15, 815/16, 816/
17
References: Kiersnowski, Warmii i Mazur, pp. 72-73, No. 3; Markov, Topografiia, pp. 114-
15, No. 17. These two accounts vary somewhat; for the sake of consistency, I have followed
the data in Warmii i Mazur.
13. Warm ia-Masuria/ East Prussia. Krasnot^ka, now in Ifowka powiat, Poland, 1857. A
hoard of 10 dirhams was found. The most recent coin dated to 813/14.
I. Umayyad (1)
Wäsit, 747/48.
II. 'Abbāsid { 9)
al-'Abbäsiyyah, 786/87; Madînat al-Saläm, 781/82, 804/05, 805/06, 807/08
Balkh, 800/01; Isbahān, 813/14; al-Mufyammadiyyah, 798/99; Zaranj, 803/04.
References: Kiersnowski, Warmii i Mazur, pp. 73-74, No. 7; Markov, Topografiia, p. 110,
No. 4.
14. Warmia-MasuriaJEast Prussia. Ramsowo, now in Olsztyn powiat, Poland, 1854. A
hoard of 336 dithams was found (I count only 335). The most recent coin dated to
828/29.
I. Umayyad (2)
al-Sāmiyyah, 748/49; Wãsif, 741/42.
II. 'Abbãsid (332)
al-'Abbäsiyyah, 785/86 (2), 792/93 (2); Armîniyah, 799/800; Arrān, 764/65,
801/02, 802, 807/08, 828/29; Madînat al-Saläm, 766/67 (2), 767/68, 768/69
(3), 769/70 (6), 770 (8), 770/71 (4), 771/72, 772/73 (4), 773/74 (10), 774/75
(10), 776/77 (6), 776/77 (?), 777/78 (7), 778/79 (8), 779/80 (2), 780/81 (5),
781/82 (4), 784/85, 785/86, 786/87, 789/90, 791/92 (5), 795/96 (13), 796/97
(8), 797/98 (7), 798/99 (4), 799/800 (2), 801/02 (3), 802 (3), 802/03 (8), 803/
04 (4), 804/05 (4), 809/10, 810/11 (3), 811/12 (4), 814/15, 815/16 (3), 818/
19, 819/20, 820/21; "Bakhinas" (?), 805/06; Balkh, 797/98, 798/99, 799/800,
802, 804/05; al-Ba^rah, 752/53 (3), 753/54, 754/55, 755/56,756/57,757/58,759/
60, 761/62, (2), 762/63 (3), 763/64 (2), 764/65 (2), 765/66, 776/77 (3), 777/78,
778/79, 797/98 (2), 813/14, 819/20; Jayy, 778/79; al-Hārūniyyah, 785/86; Ifrî-
qiyah, 782/83, 786/87, 787/88, 799/800; Kirmân, 783/84 (2), 784/85 ; al-Ktlfah,
750/51 (2), 751/52 (2), 753/54 (2), 755/56 (2), 756/57, 758/59, 759/60, 761/62
(3), 763/64, 817/18, 819/20, 820/21 (2); al-Mubārakah, 791/92; al-Muham-
madiyyah, 765/66, 766/67, 767/68 (2), 768/69 (6), 770, 770/71 (2), 776/77
(2), 777/78 (3), 781/82, 782/83 (4), 783/84 (3), 784/85 (3), 786/87 (2), 788/89,
791/92 (2), 796/97 (9), 800/01 (2), 801/02, 802 (2), 802/03, 803/04 (2), 805/06
(2), 811/12, 815/16, 819/20; al-Râfiqah, 803/04, 804/05, 807/08; Samarqand,
809/10 (4), 810/11, 811/12, 812/13 (3), 813/14 (3), 815/16, 816/17 (3), 819/20
(2); al-Shāsh, 804/05, 805/06 (9); Zaranj, 801/02; Mint and date unknown 7.
III. /tfm/d(l)
Walilah, 809/10 (?).
References: Kiersnowski, Warmii i Mazur, pp. 75-76, No. 13; Markov, Topografiia , p. 110,
No. 3.
15. Lithuania. Pir¿iupiai, Varèna raion, Lithuanian SSR, USSR, 1959. A coin and treasure
hoard was found. From several "handfuls" of coins 6 dirhams were identified. The most
recent coin dated to 853/54.
I. 'Abbāsid (6)
Ifrlqiyah, 782/83; Madînat al-Salām, 795/96, 803/04; al-Rāfiqah, 805/06; Samar-
qand, 835, 853/54.
Reference: Lietuvitģ Materialine Kultūra IX-XIII A míiuje, II (Vilnius, 1981), p. 92, No. 7.
16. Latvia. Iļ£i, now in Grobiņa, Liepāja raion, Latvian SSR, USSR, before 1827. Three
'Abbāsid dirhams of the period 833/34-852/53 were found. It is not clear whether
these coins composed part of a hoard which was lost, as some suggest, or whether they
were merely a chance find.
Reference: Noonan, "Pre-970 Dirham Hoards," pp. 241-42, No. 4.
17. Latvia. Sāraji, now in Lībagi, Talsi raion, Latvian SSR, USSR, 1930. A hoard of 57
dirhams (27 whole and 30 fragments) was found. The most recent coin dated from
863/64.
Reference: Noonan, "Pre-970 Dirham Hoards," p. 241, No. 2.
18. Livonia. Somewhere in the province of Livonia, now Latvian SSR, before 1828. Thirty-
eight dirhams from a hoard found somewhere in Livonia were identified. The most
recent coin dated to 871/72.
Reference: Noonan, "Pre-970 Dirham Hoards," p. 241, No. 1.
19. Estonia. Kohtla/Kochtel, Virumaa, now in Estonian SSR, USSR, 1923. A hoard of
500-600 dirhams was found of which 481 were identified. The most recent coin dated
to 837/38.
20. Estonia/Livonia. Along the shores of Lake Peipus, Ugandi, now in Estonian SSR, USSR,
1885. A hoard of 60 dirhams was found. The most recent coin dated to 861/62.
21. Kaliningrad oblast'. Kaliningrad, formerly Königsberg, now in the USSR, 1945. A
hoard of around 1 50 dirhams was found of which only 9 were identified. The most
recent of these 9 coins dated to 745/46.
Reference: Noonan, "Ninth-Century," p. 82, No. 1.
22. St. Petersburg province. Staraia Ladoga, Ladoga uezd, now USSR, 1892. A hoard of
31 dirhams was found. The most recent coin dated to 786/87.
23. Leningrad oblast'. Staraia Ladoga, Volkhov raion, USSR, 1938. A hoard of 23 dirhams
(5 whole and 18 fragments) was found. The most recent coin dated to 846/47.
24. St. Petersburg province. Kniashchino, Ladoga uezd, now USSR, 1874-1924. Several
hundred dirhams were found in Kniashchino over the course of many years. Of these,
97 were identified. Several scholars believe that most, if not all, of these dirhams came
from one hoard although this may not have been the case. The most recent coin dated
to 808/09.
Reference: Noonan, "Ninth-Century," pp. 84-86, No. 9.
25. Novgorod province . Vylegi, Novgorod uezd, now USSR, 1882. Dirhams were found
of which 77 were identified. The most recent coin dated to 807/08.
26. Novgorod oblast'. Novgorod, USSR, 1920. A pot-hoard of 203 dirhams was found.
The most recent coin dated to 864/65.
27. Pskov province. About 13 miles from the city of Pskov, in Pskov uezd, now USSR,
during the 1870s. Dirhams were found of which 3 were identified. The most recent
coin dated to ca. 850.
28. Novgorod oblast'. Poterpel'tsy, Borovichskii raion, USSR, 1935. A hoard of 60 dir-
hams was found. The most recent dated to 865/66.
29. Novgorod oblast'. Shumilovo, Demiansk raion, USSR, 1927. A hoard of about 1,326
dirhams was found including 252-331 fragments. The most recent coin dated to 870/
71.

30. Novgorod province. Demiansk, now USSR, 1833. A hoard of 35 dirhams (10 whole
and 25 fragments) was found near Demiansk. The most recent coin dated to 824/25.
31. Kalinin oblast'. Toropets, Toropets raion, USSR, 1960. A hoard of dirhams was found
of which 73 were preserved. The most recent coin dated to 867/68.
32. Kalinin oblast'. Nabatovo, Toropets raion, USSR, 1926. Two coins from a dirham
hoard were identified. The most recent dated to 815/16.
33. Tver province. Zagorod'e, Vyshnevolotskii uezd, 1889-1924. Some 13-15 dirhams
were found at one place over the course of several decades. Several scholars believe
these dirhams all came from one hoard although this may not have been the case. The
most recent coin dated to 831/32.

Thomas Noonan-Ninth-Century Dirham Hoards From Northwestern Russia and The Southeastern Baltic

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Thomas Noonan-Ninth-Century Dirham Hoards From Northwestern Russia and The Southeastern Baltic

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NINTH-CENTURY DIRHAM HOARDS FROM NORTHWESTERN RUSSIA AND THE

Thomas S. Noonan, University of Minnesota

During the period c. 800-c. 1015, hundreds of thousands of Islamic silv

220 JBS, Vol XIII, No. 3 (1982)

tinguishing characteristics of the dirham hoards from a

At first glance, it might appear that the 33 hoards for

the early nineteenth century (Nos. 18,

dilations on regional distribution. A related problem

Primary Hoards Secondary Hoards Total

deposited around the late

only represented by one primary a

Table 2 gives us a more accurate idea of when dirham

Primary Hoards Secondary Hoards

the Baltic states. This may not be the per

Geographical Distribution of Ninth-Century Primary-Like Hoards from North-

The dynastic comp

aSome coins present, but number uncertain or less than

hams is 48% in the Kniashchino hoard (No. 24). H

800s 58% (2) 860s 82% (4)

now consider as 'Abbāsid. As noted earlier, the 'Abbas

Vylegi 100% Krasnolaka 70%+ Neubrandenburg 57%+

Now, let us turn to those hoards deposited after 819

An alternate explanation is that the r

a Some coins present, but number uncertain or less than 0.5%.

Second place behind Iraq belongs to Ji

The raw data is given below :

The rough total fr

than 320 dirhams. Nine hoards (45%) we

APPENDIX: LIST OF NINTH-CENTURY DIRHAM HOARDS FROM THE

Kiersnowscy, Pomorza - Teresa i Ryszard Kiersnowscy, Wczesnosredniowieczne Skarb

1. Pofabia/Pomerania. Prerow-Darss, now in Ribnitz-Damgarten Kreis, East Germany,

V. Umayyad Governors (1 whole)

dates unknown (2 fragments); al-Shāsh, 805/06 (3); Surr

6. Pomorze/Pomerania. Grzybowo, now in Kptobrzeg powiat, Poland, 1877. Ori

II. 'Abbāsid (7)

Reference: Noonan, "Ninth-Century," pp. 109-11, No. 64.

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