Raknes

How is it possible that a silver dinar, minted in the Roman Empire during the reign of Antonius Pius, one time between the year 136 and 161, ended up in the field at Osterøy? For it was just such a coin that was unearthed in 1909, 140 feet southeast of the hayshed at farm no. 3 at Raknes. We do not know if it comes from a grave, but coal and scraps of wood were found in the place, according to the finder, who handed it in to Bergen Museum.

Silver dinars are rare finds in our country. We only know of six and this is the only one in Hordaland. The Roman historian Tacitus, who died around the year 120, relates that the Romans gave gifts to the German chiefs in order to keep on friendly terms with them. He further relates that the Germans preferred silver coins to gold ones. Now it seems that the finds prove that they later thought otherwise, because around 300 gold coins dominate the finds in the German area. It is a long way from Rome to Osterøy. Our silver dinar must have passed through many hands, both Roman officials and German chiefs before ending its wandering at Raknes.