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The coins unearthed in the archaeological excavations at Turaida Castle
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eagle. Judging by the image of the coat of arms and weight, the coin-weight was intended
for checking the weight of German gold coin – ducat or gulden. The initial weight of the
coin-weight had exceeded the present one.
The sites of coin finds in the territory of Turaida Castle.
Recording sites of coin finds
in the castle plan, it was clarified, in which part of the castle and nearby which buildings
coins of chronologically earlier and later period were concentrated (Figs. 9, 10). The earliest
coins of the 13th–15th centuries, as well as both hoards were found at the western defensive
wall, next to the Large Semi-round Tower. The findspot coincides with the initial location
of the defensive wall of the 13th/14th century and former location of the West Block. The
second concentration place of coin finds dating back to the 13th–15th centuries is next to
the Main Tower and near the northern defensive wall. Whereas, the majority of coin finds of
the 16th century is concentrated in the northeast part of the castle. In a room (A, excavation
area VII), seven coins were found with very close mintage years, probably, the coins were
stored in a hiding place. A large number of the coins struck in the 17th century have been
found in Turaida Castle. They were registered in the whole territory of the castle, however,
mostly they were unearthed at the Northern Inner Gate Tower and in the northern part
of the central castle area, between cobblestones. Only few coins have been found in the
northern part of the castle, mostly those were coins of the 17th century.
Coins, unearthed in Turaida Castle reflect the currency circulation development in
the whole territory of Latvia in the period from the 2nd up to the 19th century. At the same
time, this varied numismatic material provides a good illustration of the economic life of
the local inhabitants, testifies about indirect trade contacts with neighbouring countries
(Poland, Lithuania) and more distant countries (Gotland, Germany, Sweden). Notably, the
numismatic material of Turaida has its own peculiarities that distinguish it from other coin
complexes found in Livonian castles. First of all, these are two hoards of the Livonian period.
Such finds are rare in archaeological excavations in castles. Noteworthy is the find of a rare
Roman coin – sesterce in the medieval layer of the castle. Until nowadays only three such
finds are known in Latvia (Jersika, Mārtiņsala, and Dinaburga).
An essential amount of coins (mostly copper klippe coins), struck in Sweden in the 17th
century, should be highlighted, which probably might be explained by dislocation of Swedish
troops in Turaida. The largest number of antiquities in Latvia connected with pilgrimages have
been found in Turaida Castle.
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The above mentioned finds are supplemented by the coin of
Pope Benedict XIV (1740–1758), found in Turaida. Also the find of a jetton of the Netherlands,
rarely found in Latvia, as well as a coin-weight that probably was used for checking the weight
of gold ducats.