Danish teenager makes rare Viking-era find with metal detector

Coins from Bohemia, Germany, Denmark and England discovered during an archaeological dig last year, some of 365 items from the Viking era. Danish National Museum spokesman Jens Christian Moesgaard says the coins have a distinctive cross motif attributed to Norse King Harald Bluetooth, who is believed to have brought Christianity to Norway and Denmark. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Stokke Brothers)

A pendant necklace in silver of Thor's Hammer discovered during an archaeological dig last year, one of 365 items from the Viking era, including 60 rare coins. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Stokke Brothers)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Danish museum officials say that an archaeological dig last year has revealed 365 items from the Viking era, including 60 rare coins.

Danish National Museum spokesman Jens Christian Moesgaard says the coins have a distinctive cross motif attributed to Norse King Harald Bluetooth, who is believed to have brought Christianity to Norway and Denmark.

Sixteen-year-old Michael Stokbro Larsen found the coins and other items with a metal detector in a field in northern Denmark.

Stokbro Larsen, who often explores with his detector, said he is often laughed at because friends find him "a bit nerdy."

Moesgaard said Thursday that it was the first time since 1939 that so many Viking-era coins have been found, calling them "another important piece in the puzzle" of history.