A metal detectorist has found Finland’s largest Viking Age silver hoard near Sysma. Kalle Lappinen made the discovery on September 3 while searching on a private farm.

The hoard contains more than 4,000 silver coins weighing about 4.5 kilograms. The coins were packed into two birch-bark containers. The treasure dates to between 1000 and 1050 AD.

Lappinen reported the find to authorities immediately, as required by Finnish law. Archaeologists from Lahti Museums, led by Esko Tikkala, recovered the treasure the following day. The hoard was taken to the Finnish Heritage Agency for study.

The coins come from Sweden, Britain, Germany and the dirham regions of present-day Turkey and Iran. The mix shows that Sysma was an important hub in Late Iron Age trade networks.

The discovery more than doubles the previous Finnish record. That record was set in 1895 at Nousiainen, where about 1,700 coins were found. The Sysma hoard is one of the largest single Viking Age finds in northern Europe.

The find highlights the role of responsible metal detecting in archaeology. Finnish law rewards finders who report their discoveries promptly. The hoard will be conserved and studied before going on display.