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”Dae ahh look loch a bluudy Financial advisor t' yea?” ~ The Bloody Raven
The Coin
The site was discovered in the 1960 by a Norwegian team of Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad following the Saga of Leif Erickson and since then these archaeologists have uncovered clear evidence of Ship repair and maintenance at the site. At least eight structures of sod type structures were identified, evidence of Iron ore refining and a forge indicating and arguably the first Iron produced in North America. Stone oil lamps, stone weights, bronze pin, and various items including a bone knitting needle and a part of a loom suggesting there were even women in the encampment.
Why the encampment never became a permanent settlement may likely have been bad relations with the indigenous. With conflict and the threat of attacks from the “Skraelings”, the Vikings were finally forced to leave.
There are other possible sites scattered over the Canadian arctic region yet to be fully determined to be Norse encampments and outposts, an amazing feat for a relatively small European community called the Vikings.
But imagine if the Vikings did manage to establish a settlement in North America, perhaps simply by choosing more of a Trade and diplomacy policy rather than resorting to any raids. we may have quite a different world it’s a result. The Viking people having in 500 year advantage with at least a Fur monopoly and become an economic powerhouse over most European countries.
The Viking Ship of this coin
There are subclasses of Longships; from the small general use Karvi, Snekkja, Skeid, and finally the largest and lavishly ornate Drakkar or Drek Dragon ships. Characterized by the Dragon or fierce best on it’s prow.
What ship did the Viking Leif Ericsson really use? Longboat or Knorr?
These craft are not very large and it is amazing feat to navigate across the North Atlantic in such an open ship. It’s light, rigid, and stable design is the basis of many engineering principles in ship design still used today. And while no surviving record the name or class of Longboat Erikson came over to North America in, there is a replica ship of Leif Erickson’s ship built to commemorate Leif Erickson’s discovery of North America, and no, it wasn’t the MV Leif Ericson ;
- Ship Name: The Leif Erikson
- Class: Similar to the Knarr.
- Length: 42 feet long.
- Built in: Korgen, Norway.
- Completed April 1936.
- Captained by Gerhard Folgero.
The ship was donated to City of Duluth, Minnesota. Restored in 1980 & 2001 from neglect and vandalism and continues to be restored. It is currently located at the Lafarge cement terminal until fully restored and moved to its permanent display Duluth’s Leif Erikson Park. Due to copyright issues the only photos of this Replica ship are currently viewable on the Leif Erikson’s Website.
My Take on the 2014 The Viking Silver Dollar
I can understand why this coin is named, “The Viking” as the mint carries on the typical portrayal of Vikings in their trademark Dragon Drakkar Long ship. But it is more likely to be explored with the more practical Knarr ship. Leif’s Vinland expedition would have required at least a cargo vessel to haul all the necessary supplies needed for a long journey. Logistically the L’Anse aux Meadows Viking encampment could have required up to three ships for enough supplies for an extended time away or more if it were intended to a more permanent settlement.
The Bloody Raven’s Take on the 2014 The Viking Silver Dollar
Aye, A coin that ‘as the feared silhouette of the Drakkar Viking long ship would sell better than the slower lumbering Knarr on it. Scandinavians are a tough lot, best t’ ‘ave a few in the crew. And as @silversaver888 sez... #ilikeitalot
I hope you enjoyed this special feature
And, thank yea for stopping by me Pirate Blog today.
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“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”
